Naval Station Everett is looking for motivated and enthusiastic service members, DoD civilians or retirees to volunteer for the 2009 Drug Education for Youth (DEFY) program.

The DEFY program is a program that seeks to strengthen military families by teaching military children how to avoid drugs, alcohol, gangs and set positive goals in a way that is interactive and fun.

This year’s program begins with a free, week-long camp at Jim Creek which will be followed by monthly meetings throughout the school year.

“This summer camp is expected to be a fun, fulfilling and rewarding event that instills the youth with leadership and life skills needed to set positive goals and avoid peer pressure and drug usage. But this program requires many enthusiastic, motivated, and creative volunteers, and right now we still need more of them,” said Yeoman 1st Class Eddie Williams, NAVSTA Everett’s program coordinator.

The camp is set to take place July 19-24. Currently the volunteers are still needed to run the camp. Volunteers will receive training the week prior to the camp and during the camp will assist with teaching lessons, activities, cooking and other various tasks.

Past volunteers say the most important task is getting to help out kids of their fellow service members.

“The best part about DEFY is being able build relationships with the kids and see them grow and gain the confidence they need to be leaders in their schools and communities. It’s also truly is a lot of fun,” said Yeoman 1st Class Ron Tabladillo, who volunteered for last year’s program but is unable to this year due to a deployment to Afghanistan. 

If you would like to be part of this important and unique program please contact YN1 Eddie Williams at (425) 304-3879 or be e-mail at .