Arlington Heights Group Hosts Navy Recruits For Christmas
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (CBS) -- While many people spent this Christmas with their families, not everyone could be home for the holidays.
Dozens of Navy recruits training at the Great Lakes Naval Station could not fly home, so for the third year in a row, a special group in the northwest suburbs hosted them for an all-day celebration.
CBS 2's Susanna Song reports it was a heartfelt welcome to our country's future sailors.
The young men and women arrived at Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights Christmas morning, their "home" away from home.
"I want them to know the Christian community of Arlington Heights loves them," said Navy veteran Art Ellingsen.
The recruits are two weeks away from graduating from an intense eight week boot camp.
Kimberlynn Nall is from North Carolina and said it is hard to be away from family during Christmas, but she was "glad to be here with people who care."
Tate Logsdon Hurst is from Kentucky and said it, "lifts me up when I look at everyone when I walked in, it made me feel real excited."
One Christmas gift they're cherishing is talking on their cell phones. That's because ever since they arrived mid-November they haven't talked with their family or loved ones.
The volunteers gave up their entire day, serving the recruits three meals and offering a host of activities.
"They should know serving others is most important thing and not just being with our family," said Melissa Irwin.
Northwest Bible Church hosted the event and all the food, transportation and space were donated.