Team Mildenhall member gives back to local children

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dillon Johnston
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  An Airman from the 727th Air Mobility Squadron raised and donated more than $1,100 worth of school supplies to a local nursery recently.

Staff Sgt. Mathew Donathan, 727th AMS safety NCO in charge from Jefferson, Ohio, took it upon himself to create a school supply drive in order to better prepare local children for the school year. Using a decorated box placed at the RAF Mildenhall Exchange, he asked Team Mildenhall members to donate, and they rose to the occasion.

He decided to donate the supplies to a local nursery, Busy Bees, which looks after children from schools all over the local area.

"The reason I asked Busy Bees (if I could) donate to their children was because I like the program and how they develop the kids the way they do," Donathan said. "They're teaching them how to raise animals, grow their own vegetables and make their own food. I believe in what they do."

Because of the amount of children at the nursery, Donathan was able to reach out and help more than he would at a single school.

"They have a lot of children, and they have children coming from Beck Row Primary, West Row Primary and St. Mary's Academy in Mildenhall," Donathan said. "So I figured, if I donate there, it's going to touch more than if I donate to just one school. Now I've touched a little bit of every school."

While the process was not the easiest, Donathan believes it was well worth the effort.
"It was difficult, and it was time consuming, on top of school, my wife being pregnant, and me working 40-plus hours a week trying to learn a new job," Donathan said. "But it was definitely, completely worth it to see the smiles on those kids' faces; they were so excited."

Donathan has always had a soft spot in his heart for children, who he believes to be the key to a successful tomorrow.

"I know that children are our future, and if we can give them anything to give them a helping hand, then it will be worth it," Donathan said. "It's investing in our future."

The children seemed to appreciate Donathan's efforts, as apparent by their reactions to his delivery of the supplies.

"I had no idea they were going to be so excited," Donathan said. "I can't even describe the feeling, because they were so happy, it made me happy.

"It was just a great time, and I know they appreciated it, and I know the staff (of Busy Bees) appreciated it. The younger class made me a big thank you card and everybody signed their names," he added.

With the supplies now with the children, Donathan feels he has made at least a small impact on his community.

"I know they're going to use them, and I know it's going to benefit them," Donathan said.