Ramstein women lend a hand

Caring for one another is essential to sustaining a healthy community. It’s common for family, friends and neighbors to lend a hand to one another. Yet, when that care and kindness extends unexpectedly to a stranger, a bond between two communities is built.

On July 25, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mike Robinson, 522nd Military Intelligence Battalion geospatial technician, and his wife, Alexandria, experienced this kindness from KMC members during a time of need.

The Robinson’s had noticed their 14-day old daughter had a distended stomach. By the time her husband had left work, their child’s condition had gotten noticeably worse.

Driving over 80 miles from their home in Wiesbaden and two hospitals later that night, the Robinsons arrived at the Saarland University Medical Center in Homburg to find treatment for their daughter.

By the time Robinson had time to think about eating something, the cafe at the hospital had already closed for the day. She hadn’t been prepared for her stay at the hospital to extend over the next few days, leaving her without so much as a toothbrush. Little did Robinson expect, a bit of kindness from a stranger would be coming her way.

Robinson had mentioned the situation to a stateside friend, who’d then informed her that she had a friend stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, who was more than happy to mobilize a group of women to come and bring her a few essentials.

“It wasn’t the end of the world, I just thought maybe that day I wouldn’t eat,” Robinson said. “The situation was honestly terrifying, and their kindness will certainly not be forgotten.”

Within just a few short hours Christine Puentes, lead program assistant of a school age program at Kapaun Air Station, Germany, arrived at the hospital with a care package made for Robinson.

“Every one of the people who work here would have done the same if I had asked,” said Puentes. “We knew she was very far away from her support system, so I talked to friends from work to help with a few expenses to assist.”

Exhausted and worried for her daughter, Robinson was overwhelmed with gratitude for the unexpected generosity of complete strangers.

“I had never talked to or met these women,” Robinson said. “I was a stranger to them and they still went out of their way for us. She brought the bags up directly to my room so I never had to leave my daughter.”

Among a toothbrush and dinner, Robinson received snacks, toiletries, and a very coveted diet coke.

“The one thing I had joked with my friend about was how I wouldn’t mind a diet coke,” Robinson said. “They had several diet cokes in the bag.”

With the help of Puentes and the team of women who put together their time and expenses, Robinson was able to receive the help she needed without ever having to leave her baby’s side.

“These women helped us for no other reason but to just simply help,” Robinson said. “I feel like you should know about the high caliber of women in your community.”

The Robinson’s youngest member is currently stable and back home with her family.

Being stationed overseas can present many challenges to our military members. Having each other to support and lend a hand when it’s needed can be such a comfort to a family. It may seem like a simple gesture, but you never know how far a little bit of benevolence can go.