DLA Aviation at Oklahoma City school drive an absolute W, no cap, fr!

RICHMOND, Va. - When it comes to giving back, the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation at Oklahoma City crew didn't just vibe with the idea of a school supply drive - they ate and left no crumbs. On Aug. 9 they flexed their community rizz by organizing a donation that was on it, ensuring the students at Soldier Creek Elementary School in Midwest City, Oklahoma, are set to thrive this school year.

It all started when the site's command support staff management analyst April Walker and her coworker, engine inventory management specialist Misty Winters, found themselves deep in the trenches of a weekend couponing battle. As they swapped stories of their epic deals, the convo took a quick turn to the back-to-school grind and how expensive it can get for parents. From backpacks to notebooks, the struggle is real, fam.

"Both Misty and I have grown kids, and we talked about how we missed the excitement of back-to-school preparations," Walker said. "With my oldest grandchild starting kindergarten this year, I volunteered to buy her school supplies. That's when Misty and I decided we should extend our efforts and support a teacher in need. Inspired, we set out on a mission to gather supplies.

Later that day, Walker's social media feed wasn't just brain rot, she was hit with some next-level inspo - a cake made entirely of school supplies. "I instantly knew we had to make one of those," Walker said.

Winters called Soldier Creek Elementary School to set the plan in motion, and the school's response wasn't just pure hype.

"The school was so excited and grateful. We couldn't contain our enthusiasm," said Walker.

Their energy was contagious, with the tea spilling to other employees like business support analysts Amelia George and Kathy Beck, and supply technician Chelsea Brown.

"I used to be a teacher before becoming a federal employee," Brown said. "I couldn't pass up the chance to help out."

With only one week before the school's meet-the-teacher night, the team worked with all the speed and precision of a TikTok trend, cranking out several school supply cakes that were straight fire.

Walker said Air Force Lt. Col. Katrina Smith, the commander of DLA Aviation at Oklahoma City, passed by as the team completed their first cake and was immediately intrigued.

"The very next day, Lt. Col. Smith contributed boxes of snacks to accompany our creations," Walker said. "Our plan to support one teacher ended with support for the entire school."

The donation drive aimed to provide the essential school supplies students need for their performance to slay this year - no cap. From the basics like notebooks and pencils to extras like hand sanitizers, they made sure no student was left hanging.

"We didn't just deliver crayons and pencils; our packages included cleaning supplies, snacks, recess equipment, and basic first aid items like band-aids and lollipops for those inevitable 'boo-boos.'" Walker said.

"I love working for DLA Aviation at Oklahoma City where I have support from coworkers and leadership alike. It was so much fun building these cakes and being able to present them to the teachers. I am not sure who got the most from it - me or them!" Walker said.

Smith supported and participated in the drive, highlighting the organization's dual focus. "While [our] primary role is to support the warfighter, [we] also place a strong emphasis on building and maintaining robust community ties," she said.

On the day of the donation, several employees personally delivered the supplies to Soldier Creek Elementary, embodying the organization's roll-up-your-sleeves approach to giving back.

Shalane Gordon-Scott, Chief of Staff at DLA Aviation at Oklahoma City, expressed her appreciation for the employees participating in the donation drive.

"Their contributions reflect the team's generosity and their ongoing commitment to making a positive difference," Gordon-Scott said.

Through the combined efforts of leadership and staff, the example of community support reinforces DLA's commitment to service both in and out of uniform. Periodt.

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