Airmen host youths from local children's home

Water wasn't the only thing that filled the Cannon Air Force Base swimming pool Saturday; the children of New Mexico's Baptist Children's Home splashed about in the water with big smiles.

Christina Calloway: Cannon Connections

The children of New Mexico's Baptist Children's Home were invited to a pool party on base.

The children felt special that they were invited on base to attend a party that was in honor of them and they also felt special that Cannon officials care according to their house parents.

The pool party was another effort Cannon members put forward in building a relationship with the Children's Home, which services children of all ages.

According to chaplain Joshua Payne with the Cannon Community Chapel, many units at Cannon are reaching out to the children's home to service the children living there.

In addition to donating Christmas gifts to the children during the holidays, recently a few airmen volunteered to paint some of the cottages of the home. The pool party's purpose was to spend time with the children and get to know them.

"Our plan is to work together to help them out," Payne said. "This is an opportunity to take care of them."

When the children arrived to the base, they were greeted with pizza pies and smiles. After lunch, the children raced to the water and some lined up to go down the water slide.

Bill Marker, campus director of the children's home, said the children love to take trips during the summer months, especially ones that involve quality and fun activities.

"They don't get an opportunity to enjoy this kind of thing," Marker said. "They are able to interact with the community and feel like regular kids."

Marker added that the children love when they get to visit the base. One of their favorite trips that the rave about according to Marker, was getting to tour all the aircraft.

"They felt real special getting to see some of the things the average civilian doesn't get to see," Marker said.

Marker said that the children and the staff at the home appreciation the working relationship Cannon has with them.

A few of the single airmen in the singles ministry at the chapel love to give back to the children through community service projects for the home.

Christina Calloway: Cannon Connections

Ian Payne, son of chaplain Joshua Payne, takes a dive at a Cannon Air Force Base pool party Saturday.

Airman Justin Eustace has been active in helping build the relationship with the children's home. He's helped paint cottages and worked to get their ball field in shape.

"I know it's a great cause," said Eustace about working with the home. "I just wanted to give back to the community.

Eustace said the pool party was a real starting off point to developing personal relationships with the children. He splashed around in the water with them as well.

"There's not a lot of mentorship in their life outside of the home," Eustace said. "In the long run, it's good to have (additional mentors)."