Young Marine On A Mission To Help Children In Foster Care

Young Marines Master Gunnery Sergeant Makayla Barstow, 15, of Moosup, Connecticut, originated, developed, and executed a community service project to help Windham County children in the foster care system. She named the project “MaKayla’s Mission.”

For this altruistic work, she received The Young Marines Distinguished Order of Merit (DOM) which is the highest award a Young Marine can earn.

“Miss Barstow embodies our goals of developing our youth into leaders and compassionate, engaged citizens,” said Col William P. Davis, USMC (Ret), National Executive Director and CEO of the Young Marines. “She has created an amazing and much needed project. She is going to be an amazing future leader.”

The project consisted of bags for each child that included blankets, stuffed animals, clothes, hygiene items including a mask and sanitizer, and perhaps most important – a personalized letter of reassurance from Barstow.

“Many of these children going through a very traumatic time,” she said. “Giving them a care package with a blanket, a book, a stuffed animal, and more gives provides a little bit of comfort.”

Her goal was to create 100 bags, but the project ended up doubling that number, all of which she donated to the Department of Children and Families. Barstow said she was working with the liaison from the Department of Children and Families, but she alone collected donations, shopped, and assembled the bags.

“I have learned that I have a very compassionate, supportive community in the Young Marines,” Barstow said. “Despite COVID-19, everyone was eager and willing to help me succeed with the project. In addition, my family assisted me in so many meaningful ways.”

Barstow is a member of the Natchaug River Young Marines under the command of Joseph Couture. The unit meets in Danielson, Connecticut. She joined the Young Marines in 2013 when she was eight years old. She is in her seventh year in the program.

She is a sophomore at Plainfield High School, and after she graduates, she plans to attend college to study music or interior design.

Recently, she was named a Top Ten graduate of the Young Marines Advanced Leadership School held at Headquarters Young Marines in Dumfries, Virginia.

"When I joined the Young Marines, I was following the footsteps of my older siblings,” she said. “Because family was involved, I grew up in the program. The Young Marines taught me how to be my own leader and how to form solid bonds between youth members and the Adult Volunteers.”

MaKayla Barstow is the daughter of Jessica and Mark Barstow.

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 over 235 units with 8,000 youth and 2,500 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan, and affiliates in a host of other countries.

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