USS Pittsburgh Family Readiness Group Provides Winter Accessories to Low-Income Families

The USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720) Family Readiness Group is spreading the warmth this December by collecting and donating winter clothing to a homeless center in Westerly, R.I., Dec. 10.

Lindsay Bussick, USS Pittsburgh Family Readiness Group co-chair helped to spearhead this initiative to collect winter clothing to those who are most in need. The FRG members donated nearly 30 bags of clothing for the WARM Center, established in 1987 serving the communities in Southern Rhode Island and Eastern Connecticut.

“Our FRG has really rallied around this opportunity to give back to our local community and beyond,” said Bussick. “We have had wives who have driven around town picking up donations of warm winter clothing to be donated to the center.”

Bussick isn’t a stranger to giving back to her community and volunteering wherever needed.

“I coordinated a coat drive with my FRG when we were stationed in New York,” said Bussick, whose family arrived into the Groton area last September.

Lt. Cmdr. Joseph McGraw II, Executive Officer, USS Pittsburgh emphasized the dedication the FRG shows to both their families and the greater community.

“I am extremely proud of our FRG for taking the time to help those in need in our community,” said McGraw.

Giving back to the community, especially to those in need, is something that will go a long way to closing the door of homelessness, according to the WARM Center’s Executive Director Russ Partridge.

“We are able to give this type of clothing to the community at no cost,” said Partridge. “Donations such as the one from the USS Pittsburgh FRG will help out the local population and those who are struggling to maintain their own housing budget.”

Partridge added that the donated winter clothing allows those in need to instead put their money toward heat, rent and utilities.

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Naval Today Staff, December 11, 2012