Photo By Sgt. Lucas Hopkins | Hospitalman 2nd Class Francesco Deritis, a corpsman assigned to Special-Purpose Marine...... read more read more
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CATANIA, Italy – More than 25 Marines and Sailors assigned to Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa helped renovate a youth facility, that welcomes underprivileged children and people of different cultures and nationalities, at the “Colonia Don Bosco” in Catania, Italy, June 18, 2015.
The service members teamed up with residents of Catania to beautify the facility, by painting, raking and constructing a pathway in preparation for the summer season.
“We’re beautifying this space for the children,” said Salvatore Adamo, the director of the project. “Every day, there will be about 800 children coming here.”
The facility located on the beach in Catania, is run by a Catholic order known as “Salesiani” that specializes in youth education for underprivileged and immigrant youth. Throughout the summer, the children attending the camp gather for prayer, shows and recreation. During the offseason, the area was overtaken by nature due to disuse.
After several hours of work at the campsite, the Marines and Sailors had painted the outside of a conference room, a patio and locker rooms. Additionally, they cleaned an area in preparation for setting up a sand volleyball court. The greatest accomplishment was the combined effort of the service members and local residents clearing debris and building a gravel path that allows camp-goers to easily move around the facility.
“It was hard work, but knowing children will use this area for years to come makes it worthwhile,” said Sgt. Jeremaine Craighead, a watch chief with SPMAGTF-CR-AF.
“What the Marines and Sailors are doing is vital. This will lead to further integration between the locals and U.S. service members elsewhere,” said Adamo.
Many of the service members have children of their own, which provided some extra motivation to complete the project.
“I think it was a success. We did everything that was asked of us and saw a few kids enjoying themselves,” said Craighead. “I would want somebody to do the same thing for my kids.”
The residents also invited the Marines and Sailors to come back to visit and enjoy the beach and facilities.
“This is an open place for the service members to come back, meet people and play with the kids,” said Adamo.
| Date Taken: | 06.19.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2015 05:15 |
| Story ID: | 168044 |
| Location: | CATANIA, IT |
| Hometown: | ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 59 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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