• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

GW CSG Sailors Volunteer for Rio de Janeiro Charities

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080425-04
Release Date: 4/25/2008 5:50:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tanner Lange, USS George Washington Public Affairs

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (NNS) -- More than 200 George Washington Carrier Strike Group Sailors volunteered their time to assist Rio de Janeiro charities April 22-23, during a four-day scheduled port visit in the city.

Sailors performed a variety of tasks, including construction, painting and garden maintenance at three local shelters operated by the charity Task Brasil and also worked alongside Brazilian and Argentinian sailors painting a local school.

"Community relations projects like these mesh with the Navy's new Maritime Strategy by developing partnerships," said Lt. Cmdr. Jim Edwards, a Navy chaplain and community relations projects coordinator. "We worked together with Sailors from partner navies to help a local school and this further strengthens those relationships."

"It's a good thing to give something back to the communities who welcome us," said Senior Chief Storekeeper (SW/AW) Adrian Pecadeso, one of the job site coordinators for the projects. "We, as Sailors, act as ambassadors in a way, and events like these can further strengthen relationships between our countries on a face-to-face, more personal level."

Edwards said many people seemed impressed that so many Sailors chose to volunteer.

"The fact we had more volunteers than we could accommodate really goes a long way toward promoting good will in the community," he said. "I heard nothing but great things. The Brazilians we worked with and those who lived in the areas were able to see the work that went on and how they are going to benefit."

Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class (AW) Marie Frentress, who helped repaint one of the shelters, said she enjoyed the experience and will continue to take part in similar projects.

"I love volunteering," she said. "I especially enjoyed seeing the smiles of all the children. Meeting people and experiencing the culture first-hand really makes it worthwhile to me."

For news from USS George Washington, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn73/.