EOD students give back Published Oct. 18, 2011 By Lois Walsh Team Eglin Public Affairs FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. -- An unexpected day off gave seven explosive ordnance disposal students a chance to give back to the community. When a crew clearing trees at the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal site found a World War II-era unexploded bomb, officials closed the school as a safety precaution. Instead of taking a break, Staff Sgt. Scott Herbert gathered fellow Airmen willing to spend the day volunteering in the local community. They decided to give back to the Boys and Girls Club in Fort Walton Beach. "Our leadership is always pushing the importance of community service," said Herbert. "I've been in the Air Force for eight and a half years, and I've volunteered with the club in the past. I like their purpose and without the club, it could be a lot worse for the kids." Bernard (Mr. Ice) Heyward, unit director of the teen center, said they are always looking for volunteers and appreciated a call from Herbert asking if they could help. "They called and 10 minutes later, they were here," Heyward said. "They are definitely a big help; we only have one or two people working during the day and we spend most of our time taking care of the paperwork for 125 kids. We don't get a chance to take care of other stuff." That "stuff" included cleaning out a storage shed, changing air conditioner filters, disposing of broken furniture, and clearing part of the lot for a greenhouse and garden. Herbert said the students don't have hours of down time during a normal class schedule. Their days start at 5:30 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Mandatory physical fitness and student activities stretch the day out to 6:45 p.m. most weeks. But Airman 1st Class Shane Hakimi didn't mind giving up his day off to work at the club. He wears a green leadership braid on his uniform to show he leads by example. "It's worth it," he said. "We've been given an opportunity to help kids."