Courtesy Photo | SAIPAN -- Contracted mariners assigned to USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312), USNS Red Cloud (T-AKR...... read more read more
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SAIPAN – Santa had some extra help from special elves aboard several Military Sealift Command ships currently in Saipan.
Contracted mariners assigned to USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312), USNS Red Cloud (T-AKR 313), USNS Charlton (T-AKR 314), USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304), USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo (T-AK 3008) and MV Bernard F. Fisher (T-AK 4396) voluntarily donated toys and trinkets for residents of Guma’ Esperansa. The shelter provides a temporary safe haven for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, and their children in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
“Residents of the shelter usually arrive only with the clothing on their backs. The residents often do not have the financial ability to purchase presents for the children, and the shelter itself has a hard time simply making ends meet to provide food and shelter for them,” said Capt. Deatra Thompson, master of USNS Dahl, who helped synchronize the efforts of the generous Military Sealift Command volunteer donors.
“Being in the shelter is a traumatic time for a child. They are usually frightened, and their futures are uncertain. Providing the toys and stockings gives them some semblance of normality and happiness during a very stressful period.”
Thompson says this effort not only brings some holiday cheer to the residents during the season but allows them to begin to accumulate personal possessions and good memories. She explains that the children can take the toys and stockings with them to their new homes when they leave the shelter.
“The Christmas toy donations from the ship crews add a special touch; often they are the only gifts the children receive during the holidays,” said Lauri Ogumoro, executive director of Karidat, the parent organization responsible for the administration of Guma’ Esperansa.
“Watching the children open their presents in the shelter is such a joy, but the joy on their mother's faces says a lot more.”
In addition to the gifts and stockings filled with surprises for the little ones, the mariners donated items for the mothers in the shelter too.
Thompson explains that the entire project was a collaborative one, not only among the crews who represent several operating companies but with the community as well.
Before delivering the items to the shelter, the mariners joined efforts with the local chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars, which provided the venue for the MSC crews to wrap each item for the residents. A local shipping company provides transportation for the mariners and the gifts to and from the VFW for the “wrapping party” and the materials to wrap all the gifts.
All the ships participating in this toy drive are assigned to Maritime Prepositioning Ships Squadron 3. These ships preposition containerized and palletized cargo and equipment for U.S. Armed Forces operating throughout the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility.
“It is important to understand that this effort is not any one ship, any one [operating company] or any one union. This is a combined effort of all the [Military Sealift Command] vessels here in Saipan over the holidays,” Thompson said.
“We do all this not only because there is a definite need but the entire effort also brings all the Sailors from different unions, operating companies and ships together. For this, all the crews are unified to do something good and be part of something greater than ourselves during the holidays when we are all away from home.”
| Date Taken: | 12.23.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 12.23.2021 03:19 |
| Story ID: | 411739 |
| Location: | U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY |
| Web Views: | 221 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Military Sealift Command Contracted Mariners Share Holiday Cheer in Saipan, by Leslie Hull-Ryde, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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