Bellview Middle School -- AMS-1 Marines have recently committed to put a dozen tutors each week into the Bellview Middle School. This action follows the Squadron's Expeditionary Airfield Division's school grounds improvement undertaking at the school in the Spring of 1997. Marines, students, and school staff bonded quickly and agreed on a partnership that will ultimately evolve to a point where AMS-1 Marine mentors and tutors are in the school every week to assist students in need of study help and provide positive role models. The Squadron assisted the Bellview Middle School with its annual "Clean and Green" day on Friday, April 3, 1998 when the school grounds and facilities received their annual makeover. (Click HERE to view the GOSPORT article about the event.) GySgt T. J. Paquette heads up the Bellview project.
Escambia County School District Environmental Center -- On April 25, 1998 50 AMS-1 Marines traveled to the north part of the County to just south of Cantonment to help rehabilitate portions of the Escambia County School District's Environmental Center. The Environmental Center is a popular field trip site for children and adults throughout the area. The Center is fully staffed, but it lacks the resources to maintain its vast surroundings by itself. Squadron Marines arrived at the site at 8:00 AM and finished its work by about 1:30 PM; Environmental Center staff coordinated the effort and took care of the Marines with drinks throughout the day. Marines cleared nature trails, rehabilitated buildings, laid sod, cut brush, and more. Once they were finished, the Environmental Center staff treated the Marines to lunch there at the Center then toured the bog where pitcher plants and other local vegetation grow.
Adopt-A-School -- AMS-1 Marines are also active in Adopt-a-School programs in Pensacola's C. A. Weis, Bellview, and Helen Caro Elementary schools.
On a Personal Level... -- Squadron members are also active, on an individual basis, in the Big Brothers of Escambia County as well as the Handicapped Big Brothers Program.