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Kauffman Continues Efforts in Jamaica During Partnership of the Americas

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080807-17
Release Date: 8/7/2008 3:54:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class J.T. Bolestridge, Destroyer Squadron 40 Public Affairs

OCHO RIOS, Jamaica (NNS) -- Sailors from the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59) and Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 42 Detachment (Det.) 7 volunteered for a community relations project at the Windsor Girls Home Aug. 2, during a theater security cooperation (TSC) visit in Ocho Rios.

Volunteers cleaned and painted three separate classrooms and the school office at the Windsor Home.

"I feel that it's very important for us to volunteer for COMREL (community relations) projects," said Chief Storekeeper (SW) Raul Gallardo.

"These events reach out to locals and are very important in building partnerships and trust with host nations. I was very happy that we could help out the Windsor Home and show them that USS Kauffman and the U.S. Navy as a whole is committed to helping."

Ship's Serviceman Seaman (SW) Gabriel Wiesman said that volunteering at the Windsor Girls Home was rewarding.

"The Windsor Home was in need of some repairs, so we [USS Kauffman] stepped in to fix some things for those very deserving girls. It was gratifying to see that our token of support helped [to] immediately raise their spirits."

During lunch, the girls of the Windsor home provided an authentic Jamaican lunch of fish and vegetables and coconut water for Sailors.

In addition to the cleaning, painting, and lunch, the volunteers also delivered a half pallet of Project Handclasp toys to the girls who live there. Project Handclasp is an official U.S. Navy program which coordinates transportation and delivery of humanitarian, educational and goodwill material donated to the Project Handclasp Foundation.

Through the cooperation of numerous donors, Project Handclasp has shipped approximately 1.5 million pounds of charitable materials overseas annually for the past several years.

"I like to give back to the community and know that I helped make a difference, even it's a small one," said Aerographer's Mate 1st Class (SW) Daniel Zimmerli.

"Getting to know more about the Jamaican culture and seeing the smiles on the girls faces while they enjoyed their new skateboards and rollerblades is a memory that I will keep forever."

Kauffman, with HSL-42 Det. 7 embarked, is assigned to Destoyer Squadron 40 and is deployed in support of Partnership of the Americas (POA) 2008 operations which are being held from April to October throughout South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. POA 2008, sponsored by U.S. Southern Command, is implemented by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO)/U.S. 4th Fleet, which emphasizes interoperability and cooperation between U.S. and partner nation's maritime forces through a variety of exercises and events.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusns/.