CGSC Foundation supports library open house for Soldiers, families

Library staff member Kristyn Crossley, right, assists kids with selecting their free book at the entrance to the Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library open house on Aug. 11, 2023.

The CGSC Foundation provided material and volunteer support for the Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library open house on Aug. 11, 2023, from noon to 4 p.m.

As part of the day’s activities, every child that attended got to pick out a free book. Additionally, families had the opportunity to sign up for door prizes from the CGSC Foundation to include book sets for kids to be awarded later. Throughout the afternoon, library staff members led Storytimes for kids, and conducted orientation classes for CGSC students to familiarize them with the library’s materials and databases. The Foundation also coordinated with Fort Leavenworth MWR to provide a bounce house on the lawn outside the library. Throughout the event, Foundation President/CEO Rod Cox manned the snack station providing popcorn, candy and water to all the families, while Foundation Assistant Director of Operations Laurie Morgado and library staff member Karen Wilson manned a station offering free personal hygiene products and other items provided by Foundation donors.

“Our efforts to support the library are part of our mission to support Soldiers and their families,” said Cox. “And helping them understand the library is for the community, not just an academic resource for CGSC students is an important goal. This open house gave us an opportunity to team up with the library staff and provide free books and other items as incentives to draw them in and showcase what a wonderful resource the library is for them. We’ll continue our support of library’s programs throughout the year like we’ve always done in recent years.”

Foundation Director of Operations Lora Morgan gave special thanks to the library staff for their engagement in the process.

“I’d like to thank not only the library director, Tiffany Zink, for her leadership in setting everything up, but also Kristyn Crossley and Angelique Milagore, who manned the book station, and Dawna Ofstehage and Sierra Hochstatter, who led the Storytimes for kids, and Karen Wilson who helped us provide all the give away items at the door,” Morgan said.

MORE PHOTOS BELOW

Library staff member Dawna Ofstehage reads “The Napping House” during a Storytime for kids during the Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library open house on Aug. 11, 2023.

(Photo above and below) Library staff member Dawna Ofstehage reads “The Napping House” during a Storytime for kids during the Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library open house on Aug. 11, 2023.

Foundation Director of Operations Lora Morgan assists a family in signing up for door prizes during the Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library open house on Aug. 11, 2023.

Foundation President/CEO Rod Cox manned the snack station providing popcorn, candy and water to all the families during the Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library open house on Aug. 11, 2023.

Library staff member Karen Wilson, left, and Foundation Assistant Director of Operations Laurie Morgado organize a station offering free personal hygiene products and other items provided by Foundation donors during the Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library open house on Aug. 11, 2023.

Regardless of the Kansas heat and humidity, kids enjoy the bounce house during the Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library open house on Aug. 11, 2023.