Photo By Cpl. Unique B. Roberts | Volunteers within the New Bern Community assist patrons complete the United States...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - When holiday cheer and the aroma of seasonal comfort foods fill the air, members of the surrounding community rally together to help those in need.
Marines with the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training and Marine Aircraft Group 14 joined Cherry Point Religious Community Services to conduct the quarterly food distribution sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture Nov. 21 in New Bern.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services provides support to more than 15,000 individuals in Craven County with food and nutritional services.
The program’s success depends solely on volunteers to distribute food items, according to retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Willie Shelley, the military liaison for the event.
“To obtain enough volunteers to run the program would almost be impossible if it wasn’t for the dependability of the Marines,” said Shelley. “We know we can count on them. I know they will be there and I know they are going to work, and that’s what counts to me.”
During the event, 45 Marines helped distribute food to families and individuals who have fallen on hard times.
“We handed out bags of chicken and canned goods to the families,” said Lance Cpl. Thomas M. Ruggeri, an aircraft electronic counter measures systems technician with CNATT.
During distributions, RCS delivers between 12,000 and 18,000 food items to the community.
“It’s a really good feeling knowing that people who really need the food are getting it,” said Ruggeri.
The volunteers said they were honored to be allowed to help.
“I’m having a blast just putting my day toward something bigger,” said Ruggeri. “The expression on their faces when they receive the food, the look of thankfulness, is bigger than me and that’s why I enjoy it.”
| Date Taken: | 11.27.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.27.2013 16:41 |
| Story ID: | 117515 |
| Location: | CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 47 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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