Daria Jackson, 9, left, and Kaylen Garcia, 8, enjoy themselves while participating in Saturday’s crafts and fun activities for military families at the Hampton Inn. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review)
Posted on 01/13/2008 5:45:30 AM PST by SandRat
SIERRA VISTA — For Kim Haywood, story time, painting and swimming is a lot more fun than chores.
Haywood and her three youngest daughters took part in the activities for military families at the Hampton Inn Town Square Saturday.
The activities for children ages 3 to 11 are a way for the new hotel to show their appreciation for military families, said Faye Jackson, the hotel director of sales.
“It’s something different to do besides the usual Saturday chores,” Haywood said. “And to be able to swim in January is great.”
The Hilton hotel, 4100 Snyder Blvd., openned in mid December and invited children from Johnson Elementary School on Fort Huachuca for the new Saturday program, Jackson said.
After Chrissy Cox, a hotel employee, read Disney’s “Enchanted” storybook, about 25 children painted in the hotel lobby as mothers and fathers helped out, watched and talked.
Jonela Stewart said her four children were ready to swim Saturday.
“This is a really good idea,” she said.
Rebecca Bourke complimented and helped her daughter as she painted a flower shaped picture frame.
“She loves to get out now that Daddy’s deployed,” Bourke said.
Swimming supervised by a lifeguard followed and a lunch of macaroni and cheese, veggie sticks and chicken nuggets also was prepared, Jackson said.
The program may be open to non-military families in the summer, Jackson said. Next Saturday’s activities, which cost $5 per child, were already booked with about 30 children attending, she said.
REPORTER Laura Ory can be reached at 515-4683 or by e-mail at laura.ory@svherald.com.
Daria Jackson, 9, left, and Kaylen Garcia, 8, enjoy themselves while participating in Saturday’s crafts and fun activities for military families at the Hampton Inn. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review)
Daria Jackson, 9, left, and Kaylen Garcia, 8, enjoy themselves while participating in Saturday’s crafts and fun activities for military families at the Hampton Inn. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review)
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