Sponsor support adapts to change

BY MARLO BRESTAR, FAMILY & MWR MARKETING

The dynamics and day-to-day routines of work and various aspects of our lives have surely changed! A while back, many of us were put on administrative leave. At that time it was thought it would last a couple of weeks at best. Here we are a couple of months later, and learning together, from one another, how to adapt to our “new normal.”

The entire Fort Bliss MWR team is working hard behind the scenes to come up with safe ways to reopen our facilities and provide fun things to keep Fort Bliss Families safe and occupied during this trying time.

We’ve had some of our great sponsors really step up during the “stay safe, stay at home” period to support our Soldiers. Boingo and a local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), in remembrance of Mr. Bill Wiggins, gave Fort Bliss MWR financial support, so we could purchase much needed leisure items and snacks for quarantined Soldiers.

USAA, our long time and biggest supporter, gave us the go ahead to move unused sponsorship funds, previously allocated to events that were cancelled, to other areas where it was needed to support our Soldiers and their Families. USAA also stepped in to support us with our 4th of July efforts.

We are saddened to say Fort Bliss MWR will not have our normal Pop Goes the Fort event in its glorious celebratory way. However, we are still excited to announce, “There will be fireworks!” They will be set off from inside Biggs Park on Saturday, July 4th at around 9 p.m., the park will remain closed to the public.

We recommend all patrons practice safe social distancing, while watching our spectacular firework display from your homes or safe parking areas.

In addition to the generous support from USAA, Fort Bliss Water Services (ASUS) and Phoenix Truck Driving School, we will be handing out free glow merchandise to our military families on July 3. We would like everyone — at a set time — to hold your glow items proudly and high in the air, allowing us to be together while apart. Follow us on Facebook and our Fort Bliss MWR website for more details.

We would like to thank USAA and all of our supporters for allowing us these great opportunities. Now and always, we appreciate your support and dedication.