Young Marines receives $25,000 donation

DUMFRIES, Va., Dec. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Young Marines, a national youth organization, received a $25,000 donation from the Young Marines National Foundation (YMNF) to support registrations for Young Marines who are qualified to attend 2022's National Leadership Academy (NLA), which takes place in June of 2022 in Warrenton, Oregon.

Col William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines, accepted the check at Headquarters Young Marines on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, in Dumfries, Virginia. It was presented by MajGen James Kessler USMC (Ret.) a member of the Board of Directors of the Young Marines National Foundation.

"The generous donation by the Young Marines National Foundation will help send more than 160 youth members to the National Leadership Academy," said Bill Davis. "Our leadership training is a primary strength of the Young Marines. The more kids who are able to participate in advanced leadership training, the stronger our program and community impact can be."

Youth members of the Young Marines from across the country will train for two weeks to become better leaders. Practical classes were designed to promote a high level of student morale, teamwork, and decisive thinking. After leadership classes, physical and written tests, and close order drill, Young Marines learn to lead other Young Marines.

NLA objectives include:

a. examine leadership styles to which students aspire
b. display qualities of two to three leadership styles
c. develop a plan to build leadership skills
d. display basic understanding of event planning and organization including lesson development and encampment planning
e. recognize others' differences and create a plan for working with diverse groups
f. develop communication skills with superiors, peers, and subordinates

"On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, and especially those Young Marines attending the National Leadership Academy next summer, we thank the Young Marines National Foundation for this generous donation," said William L. Smith, chair of the board of directors of the Young Marines.

The YMNF was formed in 2014 with goals to financially support the mission, values, and programs of the Young Marines. This is accomplished by the solicitation, preservation and distribution of gifts, grants, and matching funds from individuals, corporations, and foundations committed to the development of boys and girls into responsible citizens who enjoy and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

"This is only the first of many monetary contributions that the Foundation hopes to forward to the Young Marines to enhance opportunities for their members," said Michael B. Kessler, chair of the board of directors of the Young Marines National Foundation.

"Today there are young people who need leadership more than ever before," said Michael Zeliff, national executive director of the Young Marines National Foundation. "We are excited to offer more kids the opportunity to grow and develop into responsible citizens, leaders of tomorrow, and to actively promote a healthy drug-free lifestyle."

The Young Marines

The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501 (c)(3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through high school graduation. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 235 units with 7,500 youth and 2,500 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan, and affiliates in a host of other countries.

For more information, visit the official website at: https://youngmarines.org/public/page.

Media Contact

Andy Richardson, Ginny Richardson Public Relations, +1 630-789-8899, [email protected]

Abra Hogarth, Young Marines, 800-717-0060 209, [email protected]

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SOURCE Young Marines