10th Lacey Military Family Day brings in an estimated $25,000

Parents and children looked to the skies as a helicopter hovered, dropping a few Tootsie Rolls to the ground.

“That was just a test drop. Don’t go after them yet,” said Dave Newkirk, the chairman of Hawks Prairie Rotary’s 10th annual Military Family Day, held Saturday at Cabela’s.

“They will get pummeled if they don’t stay back,” he said about the candy falling from the sky.  

After moving to better hit the target – a giant circle of pavement surrounded by eager children – the occupants of the helicopter let 20,000 pieces of candy fall.

Applause and cheers filled the air as the candy cascaded down. When last piece hit the ground, the crowd waved in thanks and the children were released.

Theresa Wagoner’s four kids could hardly wait to collect their share.

Her husband is stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. This was the family’s first time at the event.

“It’s fun, and it’s good to get out and have some fun with the kids,” Wagoner said. “My boys hit the paint ball and my daughter, she’s been doing the bouncy houses.”

Newkirk expected 5,000 people to show up Saturday. Donations from event sponsors helped raise $25,000 for military families, he said. That’s above last year’s $20,000.

“We got a lot of early foot traffic this year,” Newkirk said. “A lot more children this year, too.”

Newkirk expects that trend to continue as more soldiers head back from overseas.

He said events like Saturday’s are important for soldiers in their transition to civilian life.

“The hardest part is mentally trying to adjust and get back to their lives,” said Newkirk, a former Marine. “We want to tell them you are not alone, you have a community around you, supporting you.”

For Army Staff Sgt. Juan Lugo, the day was also about thanking the community for its support.

He and his wife, Toni, have organized a 8.5-mile Memorial Day march in Lacey for the past two years. This year the couple raised $500 for military families.

“I will fight any war for our freedom, for our way of life,” Lugo told the crowd after being recognized as one of three distinguished patriots.

This was the first time Lugo and his family could attend the event together. Last year, Lugo was overseas.

“It’s a big thing; everyone has been affected by this war, and they know someone who is in the military,” he said. “It’s a great honor to serve; I love doing this.”

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