Yokota takes a bite out of crime and donuts

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katrina R. Menchaca
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  First Sergeants and volunteers participated in a donut eating competition at the Yokota Community Center here as part of Awareness Month April 17.

Yokota's Sexual Assault Response and Prevention (SARP) team put the donut eating competition together to raise awareness about Sexual Assault Prevention.

"[April] is the month of awareness for child abuse prevention, sexual assault awareness and alcohol abuse," said Capt. Tameka Alderman, 374th Airlift Wing Sexual Assault Response coordinator. "We all partnered together and held the competition to promote awareness in a more fun and innovative way."

Representatives from SARP and the First Sergeants Association joined McGruff the Crime Dog to help get the word out. While McGruff handed out ice cream coupons and shook hands with children, Yokota's first sergeants participated in the donut eating competition.

Teams were made up of two individuals, one blindfolded donut eater and one donut handeler.  The handlers mission was to dangle four powdered donuts from a 'fishing pole' infront of their partner's face, while their counterpart focused on eating as fast as possible.

"I got a lot of white powder on my face, but it went well," said Master Sgt. Jeremiah Sutton, 374th Airlift Wing Communications Squadron first sergeant. "Being blindfolded, not being able to see the donuts, that was a difficult part." 

Sergeant Sutton said, "[As first sergeants] it always makes us feel good; people are our job and coming out here to help spread the word is definitely key to the base being successful in the program."

Capt. Alderman said events like this are the best part of her job and being able to go out in to the community and raise awareness about sexual assault is what Awareness Month is all about.

"It's about making sure that we know what to avoid," said Capt. Alderman. "We get to go out and get the community involved and understand that it's not all about sadness."