For Immediate Release
January 31, 2023
Contact: Abra Hogarth 800-717-0060 x209 or abra.hogarth@youngmarines.org
Natchaug River Young Marines Honored as “Division 1 Unit of the Year”
The Young Marines, a national youth organization, has named the Natchaug River Young Marines of Danielson, Connecticut as the “Division 1 Unit of the Year,” the top honor for all divisions in a nine-state area. This honor was awarded for the unit’s community service, program achievement and dedication to the mission.
The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The organization 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.
The unit, led by Unit Commander Russell Grant, has 42 youth members and 15 adult volunteers who meet in Danielson, Connecticut. Division 1 encompasses nine states: Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont.
“I am proud of our dedicated staff members for their commitment and for the effort made by all our youth members,” Unit Commander Grant said. “The staff is focused on helping our Young Marines become good citizens and future leaders.”
Natchaug River Young Marines is very active in the area and participated in over 50 events this past year in the community and in support of local veterans. With over 3,800 community service hours, the unit was involved in many events including color guards for multiple town sporting events, cleaning up trash from a water walking trail and helping Veterans of Foreign Wars lay hundreds of flags at cemeteries in the area. The organization donated 16 turkeys to the Plainfield VFW for veterans’ Thanksgiving dinners.
Asked what makes Young Marines so rewarding, Unit Commander Grant said, “It brings me joy to see the Young Marines grow into capable and respectful young adults. Being able to give them the skills to speak in public, teach classes, lead their peers and learn life skills, allows them to build confidence and trust in themselves. It is a great feeling when I see a Young Marine that was once reserved, now taking charge and helping to teach others how to better themselves in the same way. It also makes me extremely proud when I hear compliments from the public about how professional they are and their abilities to perform the tasks at hand.”
For more information about the Natchaug River Young Marines, visit the website at https://youngmarines.org/unit/natchaugriver/page.
Young Marines History
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 6,100 youth and 2,100 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan, and affiliates in a host of other countries.
For more information, visit the website at https://www.YoungMarines.org.
