Sailors from John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCS CSG) volunteered at a children’s home Sept. 6 during a port visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
During the community outreach event, 22 Sailors from USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) brought $500 worth of supplies and toys to Rumah Juara, a home for orphaned and underprivileged youths located in Petaling Jaya.
“I think volunteering is as important overseas as it is at home,” said Rear Adm. Craig S. Faller , commander, JCS CSG. “Our Sailors get as much from this as they give.”
Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Carmel Arnold, project officer for the community service event, said she was grateful for the opportunity to volunteer.
“It feels good to help,” said Arnold. “To see the smiles on their faces makes it all worth it.”
Sailors assisted employees at the children’s home by performing light housekeeping and yard work while playing and interacting with the children.
“This is my first [community outreach project] in the Navy and it exceeded my expectations,” said Mobile Bay Sailor, Quartermaster Seaman Justin Shepler. “One of my passions is helping people and today only encourages me to get out there and continue helping.”
Children’s home employee Michael Ignacy , said Sailors set a good example by volunteering.
“It’s a great thing to have the U.S. Navy come here and volunteer for community service,” said Ignacy. “Hopefully it will motivate local college students to volunteer as well.”
John C. Stennis Commanding Officer Capt. Ron Reis said he believes the most important thing about the Rumah Juara COMSERV was the positive interaction between Sailors and children.
“The Navy’s slogan is “ a global force for good ” and I think this symbolizes it,” said Reis. “There are many things that we do such as disaster relief, [community outreach] projects, maintaining peace and preventing wars. This is at the grass roots level, the very basic level of how we interact with communities of foreign countries and help make their lives better.”
[mappress] Source: navy, September 12, 2011;