Sodexo Scores High Points with Marine Corps Community Services Youth Sports Program
By Tracie Hoffman, Senior Recruiter

Sodexo is proud to be an international sponsor for the Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) Youth Sports Program. As part of its ongoing commitment to encouraging healthy lifestyles among youth, Sodexo is partnering with MCCS to help children and teens on Marine bases around the world develop athletic abilities and healthy lifestyles.

The Youth Sports Program, a MCCS program on 16 Marine Corps bases, gives more than 18,500 boys and girls the chance to participate in sports including football, baseball, basketball, cheerleading, soccer, golf, boxing and track. The program's goal is to build physical skills, a sense of teamwork and self-esteem.

"Sodexo has a wealth of expertise in health and wellness which is an integral part of our corporate citizenship commitments," says Sodexo's President of Government Services, Greg Verone. "We are honored to sponsor this project because we have a strong commitment to help improve the quality of life for the families of those who serve our nation."

The Sodexo Team at Camp Pendleton California presented a check totaling $61,500 to MCCS Youth Sports, with $5,000 of that total going directly to the 29 Palms MCCS Youth Sports Program. This summer the group celebrated by holding their first annual Football Camp. Approximately 50 children of military families participated in the three-day camp. They were led by coaches from the local football team (Hi Desert Storm), and by former NFL football player Chris Hayes.

During the opening ceremony at Parris Island in South Carolina, the USMC Command was presented a check by the Sodexo team for a generous amount to sponsor the East Coast Youth Sports Program. The Sodexo team volunteered to assist with the implementation of the event and served 500 kids and parents that attended the start of the season.

Sodexo, the United States Marine Corps' official foodservice provider since 2002, provides services to all Mess Halls on USMC bases throughout the continental United States. Sodexo is a proud sponsor of the Armed Services YMCA since 2003 and of the Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Fun Run since 2004.