(Photo by Danielle Kyle) USO and KPMG host an Ice Cream Sundae Bar Social at the USO Warrior and Family Center lounge for military Families, Aug. 26.
By Brittany Carlson/Staff writer Belvoir Eagle
Military Families crowded into the USO Warrior and Family Center lounge Aug. 26 for the first-ever Ice Cream Sundae Bar Social, sponsored by KPMG, a civilian accounting firm that supports the USO.
"I got vanilla ice cream with caramel, lots of sprinkles and two cherries," said Madelyn Dickinson, 10. She and her three sisters often attend USO events here with their parents.
"We're on the USO newsletter and we try to support the USO," said Maj. Terry Dickinson, Madelyn's father, who works at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. "It supports us, so we try to come to as many things as we can, and when it's stuff like ice cream, it makes it that much easier. The kids love being here."
Marcy Garrison, Army spouse, also came to the social with her two daughters, ages 5 and 7. She said free events like these are a special benefit.
"I think it's a good thing that they do it. A lot of Families financially probably can't do it," Garrison said.
KPMG is one of the big four accounting firms in the world. The company frequently sponsors events like this at the USO, according to Pauline Ray, hospital services and entertainment manager for USO Metropolitan Washington.
"We have been partnered with KPMG for a number of years and they like to come out and show their support several times a year," she said. "They've served lunch, they do fundraising for us (and) they're actually donating some new items to the center. They're fantastic supporters of our troops."
About 100 servicemembers and Family members attended, she said.
The social is designed to provide a chance for servicemembers and their Families to relax and, "especially right before school is back, to get the kids out here for an afternoon of fun and ice cream."
Myrna Rodriguez, a KPMG representative, helped pass out the sundaes.
"It's always an honor to work with Pauline and everyone else who supports our troops and our wounded warriors, their Families and the veterans," she said. "It's totally an honor, supporting our troops in any way we can."
For more information about KPMG, visit www.kpmg.com.
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