From left to right - Cristie Lawson, former Marine AJ, Joyce Orrell

We’d like to introduce you to our Purple Heart Hero Support™ Manager and Assistant Manager from the West Coast, serving the Naval Medical Center, San Diego - also known as “Balboa.”

Manager Joyce Orrell is no stranger to volunteering. She and her husband Curtis are retired, and instead of sitting back and taking it easy, they are keeping busy with a wide range of volunteering “duties.” Joyce isn’t happy unless she is helping a Marine or a group of Marines somehow, so this is the perfect job for her! As one of our PHHS Managers, Joyce is responsible for arranging monthly dinners at the Wounded Warrior barracks, where 150+ meals are served each month.

Joyce and Curtis have a Marine son who is a Linguist stationed at Camp Pendleton. Joyce also has a number of “adopted Marines” who stay in touch and fondly refer to her as “Mama Joyce.”

Assistant Manager Laurell Downing has been serving with Joyce Orrell and the Purple Heart Hero Support™ team for almost two years.

Assistant Manager Thelma Hoffmann is new to the assistant manager position and more information to come soon.