Fort Cavazos DPW employees volunteer 350 hours

SALADO, Texas - Outside of their profession in wildlife and engineering for the Fort Cavazos Directorate of Public Works, Dr. Amber Dankert, supervisor of team wildlife management team with DPW Environmental Division, and Michelle Lenis, branch chief of the Management and Outside Oversight Team with DPW Engineering Division, are making a ripple effect through their volunteer efforts, enriching their community and encouraging others to get involved.

As part of a four-person team of volunteers who make up Legacy CTX Inc., a nonprofit organization, Dankert and Lenis are mothers who were inspired by their children to provide an all-abilities playground that encourages friendships and spreads joy and inclusion to all children.

"We both believe in the mission of Legacy and Sirena Fest activities … needing an all-abilities playground hit close to home for both of us," Dankert said. "We have big hearts for our community because we both live here in Salado."

Lenis echoed her passion to provide a space where children feel welcomed and included.

"An all-abilities playground allows my son to create friendships and not be seen as different from anyone," she said. "Children of all abilities have a safe environment where they can gain confidence and know they are accepted."

Since 2021, Dankert, Lenis and their volunteer peers with Legacy CTX have helped to fundraise $57,963 for the playground's construction and helped to establish the Little Food Pantry at two sites within their community. This year, Legacy CTX set out to host a mermaid-themed, children-centered event called the "Sirena Fest Kids Extravaganza" Oct. 5 at Pace Park.

Dankert and Lenis collectively volunteered 350 hours to organize and host an event that not only celebrated the legacy of Sirena in Salado, but also aimed to educate children about habitat conservation while fostering creativity and curiosity.

Rebecca Diaz-Lopez, an attendee, travelled down from north Texas, with her six- and three-year-old daughters to attend
the extravaganza.

"As a homeschool parent, I look for events that bring learning through hands-on activities," Diaz-Lopez said. "The recycling and biologists were exceptional booths at the event. It was informative, and my daughters got to see things we have learned at home in action."

The Fort Cavazos Adaptive and Integrative Management Team and Fort Cavazos Recycle led educational and interactive sessions, covering topics including monarch butterfly migration and tagging, pollinators and recycling.

"By spreading word of the AIM Team and collaborating with neighbors outside of Fort Cavazos, we can help form a connection that will inspire youth to become active participants in protecting natural resources," said Brad Burden, research and monitoring coordinator for the AIM Team.

By the end of the day, the mermaid-themed event attracted over 750 participants, with many dressed as mermaids, mermen and pirates, from Fort Cavazos, Salado, neighboring communities and as far north as Aubrey. The fest featured a young entrepreneurs' market, inflatable bounce houses,
face painting, a petting zoo and activities hosted by local high schools and organizations.

"The support from organizations and schools like the Fort Cavazos AIM Team, Fort Cavazos Recycle, Belton New Tech @Waskow, Salado High School and many others were instrumental in this year's Sirena Fest," Dankert said. "We depend on people from our community to get involved and without our area youth volunteers and organizations, we couldn't do this."

Tammi Lloyd, sponsor for the Dragon Council at Belton New Tech @Waskow, explained the council of young student leaders hosted a bracelet-making activity to connect with kids and the Salado community. As a Purple Heart and project-based learning school, Lloyd added there is push at Belton New Tech @Waskow for projects to have an authentic audience with real-world application.

"You could go to any classroom and see that drive for real world, and oftentimes that leads us out into the community," Llyod said. "It's rewarding to give time and energy to others and it helps our students learn about different perspectives and needs with our community."

To learn how to volunteer at Fort Cavazos, call the Army Volunteer Corps at 254-287-8657 or visit cavazos.armymwr.com/programs/army-volunteer-corps.

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