Non-Profit adopts Guard Families

Master Sgt. Benjamin Abbot, theater aerospace command and control specialist, 103rd Air and Space Operations Group, watches as his mother, Mrs. Iris Arenson-Fuller, executive director of Thursday’s Child Inc., present a check for $1000 to Ms. Donna Rivera of the Conn. National Guard Family Program Oct. 13, 2009 outside Ms. Rivera’s office in East Granby, Conn. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Capt. Jefferson S. Heiland)

Local Non-Profit “Adopts” CT National Guard Families

Published Nov. 8, 2009
By Capt. Bryon Turner
103rd Air and Space Operations Group

BRADLEY ANG BASE, East Granby, Conn. --

A local adoption agency with family ties to the 103rd Airlift Wing donated $1000 to the Connecticut National Guard Family Program on Oct. 13, 2009.

"We know that military families are under stress...and that they can use some extra support," said Mrs. Iris Arenson-Fuller, executive director, Thursday's Child Inc.

"In recognition of your work and of their great contributions to all of us, we hope this money will be helpful. We wish it could be more."

Arenson-Fuller's son, Master Sgt. Benjamin Abbot, theater aerospace command and control specialist, 103^rd Air and Space Operations Group, also serves as a member of the adoption agency's board of directors. Abbot was on hand to help present the check to Ms. Donna Rivera of the Conn. National Guard Family Program.

"Seeing all the families and individuals that have benefited from our efforts gives me a great sense of pride," said Abbot. "I have found it a very rewarding experience."