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Lake Champlain Sailors Volunteer In Chania

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101113-17
11/13/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyler J. Wilson, Naval Base San Diego Public Affairs

CHANIA, Greece (NNS) -- USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) Sailors participated in a community relations project (COMREL) in Chania, Greece, Nov. 8.

The project consisted of a playground clean-up and toy give away at the Chania Daily Care Center for Special Needs Children, followed by a visit to the Chania Boy's Care Center where Sailors played sports and "elbow-tag" with the boys, while giving out hygiene supplies and toys.

When the Sailors arrived at the Chania Daily Care Center for Special Needs Children, they discovered the playground for the children was extremely overgrown with weeds and full of trash. After gathering some supplies for yard work, the Sailors got busy cleaning.

"We got started quickly cleaning up the trash and removing the weeds," said Lake Champlain Sailor and COMREL volunteer, Hospital Corpsman Matthew Wicker. "With all of us working together we finished pretty quick and afterwards it looked really nice; like a different place all together."

"We made it look like a place where children could actually play," said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Matthew Thorp. "We had gathered at least 10 bags of trash and weeds in a matter of minutes. Now kids will be able to go out and play there in a cleaner and safer environment."

Afterward, employees spoke to Sailors and gave their thanks while the children received toys and other items from the Lake Champlain COMREL group.

"It's very kind for the Navy to come and help us out," said Raso Kambokou-Theothorau, Daily Care Center for Children with Special Needs. "The playground area has been overgrown and the children haven't been able to use it until today; we really appreciate it, and we know the kids are really grateful too."

After the Lake Champlain Sailors finished working there, they left to go to the Chania Boy's Care Center where they spent time playing games with the kids and handing out toys.

"Like all children some were really open to come out and played with us while some were very shy at first," said Thorp. "After they saw us with the other kids running around and playing 'elbow-tag' they joined in and had a good time."

After the Lake Champlain handed out toys and hygiene supplies it was time to head back to the ship, but not before Michael Knontaxkis, head of the Chania Boy's Care Center thanked the volunteers.

"Thank you for what you did today" he said. "The kids are very happy with the gifts you brought, and we're all very grateful for the time you took to come spend it with these children. We hope to see you guys again and are always welcome to stop by."

During the drive back to the Lake Champlain, Sailors spoke among each other about the rewarded experience and how they hope to participate in another COMREL during this deployment.

"I'm looking forward to doing a COMREL in every port we hit," said Wicker. "You know that you have a lot of motivated shipmates when people are racing to sign-up for the next COMREL and get disappointed if the list fills up before they get a chance to put their name down."

"I was happy to get out there and lend some of my services to these kids," said Thorp. "Being from the United States you sometimes forget how fortunate you are, but then you come to a place where there are kids living in a group home, and you realize how fortunate you are. I just want to help out in any way I can."