Sailors at Navy Medicine Training Support Center (NMTSC) on Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, Texas, distributed supplies gathered throughout the summer to students at Middlepoint Elementary School, Aug. 20.

Efforts began May 18 to gather enough school supplies to present more than 600 children at a local elementary school with a full backpack at the beginning of the school year.

Through donations from service members at Fort Sam Houston and a partnership with local Walmart, Target, and U-haul businesses, they were able to reach that goal.

"Education is important. It is our mission," said Capt. Denise Smith, NMTSC commanding officer, who helped distribute the supplies at the school's 'Meet the Teacher' night. "It's only fitting that we're here helping the younger generation pursue their education."

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Gregory Jones, a staff member at NMTSC, said he came up with the idea to donate supplies when he was talking to his neighbor, Lisa Schmedthorst, who has worked as a cook at Middlepoint Elementary School for three years.

"During just a casual conversation, she was telling me how some of the kids don't have money for food," said Jones. "I called the school to see if there was anything we could do, and the lady I talked to said they didn't have enough supplies to last the rest of the school year. That's how this whole thing came about."

After hearing Jones' story and idea, several organizations at NMTSC jumped on board to help gather funds and coordinate gathering the supplies. The Chief Petty Officer Association, First Class Petty Officer Association, Petty Officer Association, and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation worked together to set up donation stations and put up fliers. They also received help from local stores and a delivery company.

Schmedthorst said it's a blessing to be able to help the children, and expressed her gratitude toward the Sailors for their support in alleviating some of the need in the community.

"There are so many underprivileged children at this school, and just to see their eyes light up looking at the brand new supplies is priceless," she added. "They don't have to worry about their parents struggling to get them what they need for the start of the school year."

Smith also expressed appreciation for the efforts of her Sailors in planning and coordinating these efforts.

"This is a wonderful opportunity," she said. "It's important for us to be able to build these community relations and act as ambassadors for the Navy here in San Antonio."

NMTSC is an echelon-4 command, reporting to the Navy Medicine Education and Training Command. NMTSC is part of the Navy Medicine team, a global health-care network of Navy medical professionals around the world who provide high-quality health care to eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support aboard ships, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.

For more news from Navy Medicine Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/ .