29 Palms: Single Marine Program: the Commissary Awareness Campaign.

The Single Marine Program (SMP), 29 Palms, California kicked off the first Commissary Awareness Campaign on Wednesday, March 7, 2001. This campaign was coordinated by the Army BOSS Program, and offered to 29 Palms through the SMP. The intent of the Commissary Awareness Campaign (CAC) was to increase awareness of the military commissary benefits to the single population. Marines and Sailors were sent from each unit aboard the base to tour the Commissary every Wednesday through the month of March and continuing through the month of April. The Store Assistant Manager, Mr. Bruce Griffith, began each tour with an overview of departments and future plans to expand. After the overview, each department manager explained their section, including Produce, Meats, and the Deli.

Initially, the tours consisted of 20 to 25 Marines. As the Campaign gained momentum, the numbers were increased each Wednesday slightly. During the two-month period, approximately 400 active duty personnel toured the facility, all benefiting from the information passed.

The Commissary Awareness Campaign was a huge success, due in part to the support of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center units encouraging their Marines and Sailors to get involved. All participants learned about the benefits and values offered to them, as well as other useful information pertaining to groceries and shopping. On average, shoppers of the commissary can save as much as 35% compared to civilian grocery stores off base.

Each participant received a Single Marine Program bag, containing sample items and coupons provided by funding through the Army BOSS Program. Each bag also contained a CAC Survey Card to be filled out by the Marines and Sailors. In reviewing the Survey Cards, the following comments were provided:

A. Cpl John Cowger: "Good tour, lots of information on how much you are actually saving"

B. LCpl Christopher Stiger: "Keep up the good work and continue to provide the great services that the commissary offers"

C. Pvt James Hedger: "Commissary is great savings ... especially for barbecues"

D. PFC Leonard Smith: "I think that SMP is a great organization and the tour is very helpful"

E. Sgt Jason Hoover: "Very informative tour! I will definitely suggest this tour to the Marines in my charge"

The SMP continues to hold quarterly tours of the Commissary. The DeCA Commissary staff in 29 Palms is more than gracious in allowing us to come in, and encourages anyone interested to request more information. Tours such as these can be offered to any group of authorized patrons. Since the beginning of this campaign, the number of single service members using the commissary has increased. This enables our troops to spend their hard earned money on recreation activities and improve their overall quality of life.

SINGLE MARINE PROGRAM HOSTS TALENT SHOW, MCAGCC STYLE

The Single Marine Program, 29 Palms, hosted a Talent Show aboard MCAGCC for all authorized patrons on Wednesday, June 20, 2001. The Talent Show was conducted at the Base Theatre from 1800-2100 hours. Categories for talent competition were solo singers, bands and instrumentalists, dancers, and artistic expression. This involved one adult age group, one children's age group. A time limit of 4 minutes per act was put into effect.

Judges were picked at random by the SMP Council to represent all ranks on base. Each Judge scored on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest. A top prize of $125 was given to the first place competitor in each category. After the judges had concluded, there were two "People's Choice Winners", selected by the audience, awarded $100 each. MSgt. Noble from MCCES, and Jeanne "Hollywood" Basone hosted the Show. Intermission brought entertainment from young Mr. Bradley Soares as a "Ricki Martin" impersonator.

LCpl James Flowers, CSSG-1, won the best singing performance for "Don't Get Me Started" PFC Marc Anselmo, MCCES won the best dancing performance for an ethnic Polynesian dance. And LCpl. Rafael Ramos, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, won the best artistic expression for playing a musical piece on his trumpet.

The "People's Choice Winner" for first place was Jaime Spradley, Miss San Bernadino County, and daughter of SSgt. John B. Bass, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines. The second place winner posed a tie between LCpl. Jackie Cortes and her team dancing the Merengue and PFC Anselmo. First place received a $100 award, second place winners received $50 each.

"The Talent Show committee would like to do it again," said Deanna Simpson, SMP Coordinator. Approximately 600 participants, volunteers and guests showed up for SMP's first year of sponsoring the talent show.

SINGLE MARINE PROGRAM SUPPORTS SPECIAL OLYMPICS 

The Single Marine Program aboard MCAGCC in 29 Palms, California assisting with the local Special Olympic Games held last April. Marines, Sailors and Soldiers from all units on base signed up in record numbers to lend a hand. "We originally were looking for about 15 volunteers to set up and encourage the athletes. When word got out by the end of the week, we had over 60 signed up!" says Deanna Simpson, SMP Coordinator for MCAGCC, "this was a fabulous opportunity for both athletes and Marines, and was a very motivating experience."

Set up began about 0730, and involved raising tents, organizing games and events, and preparing the athletes for individual events. Once the games began, each athlete was paired with an active duty member for support. The service members were responsible for leading the athletes to their respective events, motivating them on during each competition, and providing them with water and rest as needed. In most cases, the volunteers were side by side, performing with their athletes every step of the way. Following each event, awards were presented to the top three finishers. After all games were completed, the Marines, Sailors and Soldiers assisted with the clean up of the field and with the All Hands BBQ. This was a good time to mingle with the families and friends, and enjoy an afternoon meal. In the past years, the parents and coaches prepared the BBQ, while the athletes sat patiently. Due to the overwhelming volunteer support, the parents, participants and coaches were able to sit back and relax, while the SMP fired up the grills and served chow.

The volunteerism provided by MCAGCC was phenomenal, and the Single Marine Program voted unanimously to support the Special Olympics in the future. Due to the popularity of this event, and the subsequent volunteer opportunities throughout the summer with the Special Olympics, MCAGCC has graciously offered to hold the April 2002 Special Olympics Games aboard the base with full support. This dedication to community only re-emphasizes our local SMP motto: Make a Difference, Get involved.