East Valley Young Marines, AZ named 'National Unit of the Year'

Monday, May 15, 2017

The Young Marines, a national youth organization announced the “National Unit of the Year” – East Valley Young Marines of Mesa, Arizona, under the command of Dana Lippincott. The announcement was made Thursday, May 4, at the annual Adult Leadership Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The East Valley Young Marines has 26 youth members and 13 adult volunteers. The unit is very active and participates in many patriotic and community-centered events.

"The East Valley unit has demonstrated the stellar qualities needed to be named National Unit of the Year," said Col William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. "This unit embodies all that best represents our program - from community service to Red Ribbon Week; from veterans appreciation to living and promoting a healthy, drug free lifestyle.”

The Young Marines organization is divided into six divisions across the United States. Each Young Marine unit is led and guided by adult volunteers. Annually, one unit is selected from each division. From these six winners, one is named the official “National Unit of the Year.”

“I feel that it is important to trust and empower our unit’s registered adults who comprise the staff,” said Commander Dana Lippincott. “Without a great staff, the unit would not be able to provide opportunities for the youth in the program. Assigning responsibilities and tasks to our parents and staff provides for unity and camaraderie throughout the entire unit."

At the same conference, East Valley Young Marines received the Enrique "Kiki" Camarena Division Award for its impressive drug demand reduction efforts. This is the third year in a row that the East Valley unit has received recognition from the DEA.

Less than a year ago, the East Valley Young Marines won a national award from the United States Department of Defense (DOD) – The Fulcrum Shield. The award recognizes military-affiliated youth organizations around the nation that have made intensive efforts at spreading anti-drug messages in local communities.

The East Valley Young Marine Unit was established in June, 2005, and has been serving its community for 12 years. These Young Marines partner with many organizations to ensure their communities have the peer education and mentoring needed to keep youth off drugs. The organizations include the Phoenix DEA Office; Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office; Mesa, Chandler and Tempe Police Departments; Tempe and Chandlers Elks Lodges; the East Valley (Chandler), Saguaro (Mesa); Fountain Hills Marine Corps Leagues; VFW Post 1760; and American Legion Posts 26, 27 and 39.

“The personal perk for me is observing several Young Marines as their commitment to the Young Marines and to our unit grows and deepens,” Lippincott said. “I get the most enjoyment out of watching these young men and women grow and mature into outstanding members of our community.”

About the Young Marines

The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501c (3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to 275 units with 9,200 youth and 2,760 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia and Okinawa with affiliates in other countries.

For more information, visit the official website at: http://www.YoungMarines.com.

###

Media Contact: Andy Richardson

Ginny Richardson Public Relations

arichardson@gr-pr.com or 630-789-8899