Commander, U.S. Second Fleet Support Disability Awareness

Courtesy Photo | Seaman Apprentice Jesus Garcia, yeoman, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Jackson, information systems technician, from Commander, U.S. Second Fleet paint part of the Eggleston Services new facility, Oct. 29. Sailors from Second Fleet volunteered to paint over 13,000 sq. feet of space in the new non-profit career resource facility for Disability Awareness month. Eggleston Services is a non-profit service dedicated to educating, training and employing individuals with disabilities. (U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric S. Garst)  

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

10.29.2010

Courtesy Story

Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet   

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric S. Garst

NORFOLK, Va. - Twenty-one sailors from Commander, U.S. Second Fleet did their part to support Disability Awareness month by painting interior walls of a new non-profit career resource facility, Oct. 29.

"This building is going to be used for several of our businesses including document conversion and shredding, and our goal is to make the building as employee friendly as possible through improvements designed to accommodate workers with disabilities," said Thomas Redmond, vice president of Marketing and Development for Eggleston Services.

Eggleston Services received a $150,000 grant from the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, which will help build a new Eggleston facility on Military Highway in Norfolk, Va., and provide up to 100 jobs for disabled workers.

The new center will offer "challenging and stimulating work that a wide variety of our employees can do, which offers them personal growth and a career path in some instances," said Paul Atkinson, Eggleston's chief executive officer.

"We came here because it hits close to home for us as military members and as a Hampton Roads residents. There was an Army service member who returned home to Hampton Roads from Kuwait severely disabled, and when he returned, he was referred to Eggleston Services. They were able to help him obtain a job," said Petty Officer 1st Class (SW) Patrice Washington, legalman. "He is working by touring the U.S. and speaking to disabled veterans about employment and what services are available."

The Military on hand doing the work was just another way to strengthen the partnership between the military and the community.

"The Military is such an important part of the community, which is why it is extra special for us to have them come out and volunteer. This is the first time we have had such a large number of volunteers," said Redmond, "I have never seen such hard work accomplished in such a short period of time."

The sailors completed painting the interior of a 13,000 sq feet space in about an hour and a half.

"This was a opportunity to do something great for an organization that does so much to help people with disabilities," said Senior Chief Petty Officer (SW) Will Grimm, fire controlman. "It feels good knowing that our improvements will make a huge difference in the lives of those that work there."

For more than 50 years, Eggleston Services has served as a non-profit service dedicated to educating, training and employing individuals with disabilities.

• Date Taken: 10.29.2010
• Date Posted: 11.01.2010 17:08
• Story ID: 59246
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US