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Fort McHenry Sailors Distribute Aid from Project Handclasp

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100203-16
Release Date: 2/3/2010 4:35:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Rachael L. Leslie, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

BIREY, Haiti (NNS) -- Sailors from amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) sorted and distributed packages of donated hygiene supplies from Project Handclasp to the local population in Birey, Haiti, Feb.1-3.

The ship's chaplain and a team of more than 35 volunteers from Fort McHenry spent approximately two hours each day handing out the much-needed supplies to people living in the small village, which sustained considerable damage in the 7.0 magnitude earthquake Jan. 12.

"We're working in partnership with local community leaders to assist the people so they can start rebuilding their lives," said Lt. Stephen Warne, ship's chaplain. "In addition to the hygiene supplies we delivered today, Project Handclasp has also provided us with medical supplies to deliver to some of the local clinics."

More than 20 Sailors and Marines spent the previous evening unpacking and sorting 24 pallets loaded with the supplies. They separated baby wipes, bandages, antiseptic, shampoo, diapers, toothpaste and other items into bags, each with a specific theme in mind such as baby products or family products.

"I felt compelled to go on the [community relations projects] during our transit down here for a reason I did not know at the time," said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class (SW) Colleen Barrett. "I feel blessed having been shown why through all the precious, little moments I have had here with all the children."

Word spread quickly in the small village and before the Sailors arrived at the distribution center hundreds of people already stood in line to receive their share of the supplies. Warne said that by the end of the second day, nearly 40 Sailors had handed out more than 500 family bags and 85 baby bags.

"I miss my own little girls dearly, so personally I wanted to have a connection with the children and make them laugh, smile, whatever little happiness I could possibly bring," said Barrett. "I felt that on my second COMREL when a little girl came up to me and said 'Hi, Colleen.' It touched me that she would remember who I was from with the numerous amount of military going out there and know my name from the first time I was out there almost two weeks ago."

Project Handclasp Foundation, Inc. is a Navy program that coordinates the transportation and delivery of humanitarian, educational, and goodwill material donated to the Project Handclasp Foundation, Inc., by corporations, charitable and public service organizations, and private citizens throughout the United States for distribution to needy recipients in foreign countries.

Fort McHenry is currently participating in Operation Unified Response as part of USS Bataan (LHD 5) Amphibious Relief Mission, providing military support capabilities to civil authorities to help stabilize and improve the situation in Haiti.