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Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tyler Preston, Fleet Week New York Public Affairs
NEW YORK -- Service members assisted Habitat for Humanity New York City (Habitat NYC) with approximately 50 sea service members volunteering in two locations, May 27.
Members of the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard volunteered during this year’s Fleet Week New York (FWNY) to help repaint a community center in Harlem and to repair a Coney Island, Brooklyn home that was damaged during Hurricane Sandy.
"This week, we are proud to work alongside members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard to transform communities here in New York City," said Karen Haycox, CEO at Humanity NYC. "We're thankful to these men and women, who already dedicate their lives to service, for coming out to build with us. Our Fleet Week volunteers are important partners for Habitat NYC, and we look forward to their visits each year."
The initiative to improve the Manhattanville Community Center in Harlem has been going for two weeks, and there is still one more week until all the improvements are completed.
“This project is wonderful because many of the children come from humble homes and this is where they come to spend most of their time. So to be able to brighten it up for them is a really nice thing to do,” said Ellie Stephens, program manager of the Brush with Kindness project with Habitat for Humanity.”
The repainting of an entire gymnasium in one day is a big job and it took the efforts of all of the sea services who worked side by side to get the job done.
“It’s great to be here making a difference in the community. Anyway we can do that is always a positive thing,” said Cpl. Max Correa, attached to 8th Communications battalion.
Despite the hard work, the service members were focused on completing the task because their goal was to give the children of the area something to enjoy.
“It’s cool because I like to put in the effort to make an improvement and make something look good. I’m excited for the kids to come and see what the finished product looks like,” said Aviation Support Equipment Technician 2nd Class Meghan Schreder, attached to the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5).
For some service members, the sense of duty to help was made all the more stronger by the close proximity of the work being done.
“We’re fulfilling the wishes of the community leaders here by revitalizing the community center,” said Coast Guard Lt. Brett Gayman, attached to Sector New York. “I live in New York City in Brooklyn, and I’m stationed here another two years, so it’s nice to reach out and give back to the community.”
Habitat for Humanity started in 1976 and Habitat NYC began its operations in 1984. In addition to improving community centers in the city, they have also rehabbed 395 homes in all five boroughs of New York City.
“The critical home repair program was created as a result of Hurricane Sandy,” said Matt Dunbar, Vice president of Government Relations and Advocacy, Habitat NYC. “I believe this was the fourth time we have partnered with Fleet Week. Having service members help repair a home that was damaged by Hurricane Sandy was amazing.”
The call to help renovate the home in Coney Island was not only answered by service members in town for Fleet Week, service members stationed in the area, as well as future service members, answered the call to help.
“We got the word that they were helping to build a house, so we decided to come out and support,” said Sgt. Gilbert Ragudo, a Marine recruiter at Recruiting Station Flatbush, RSS Flatbush. “Many people were affected by Hurricane Sandy, so this is why many of my DEP’ers (Delayed Entry Program members), wanted to come out and help also.”
The volunteering efforts of service members has a positive impact to everyone they help, as well as all of the communities they touch.
“We are honored to be able to partner with the military,” said Elizabeth Tietjen, marketing communications manager, Habitat NYC. “I know that many of the staff have connections with the military, whether it be themselves, their families or their loved ones. Veterans and active duty members are always some of most dedicated volunteers and we are always so happy to have them.”
FWNY, now in its 28th year, is the city's time-honored celebration of the sea services. It is an unparalleled opportunity to for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. The weeklong celebration has been held nearly every year since 1984.
For up-to-date information on all FWNY events, visit the official FWNY website at www.fleetweeknewyork.com/, "Like" FleetWeekNewYork on Facebook, or "Follow" @FleetWeekNYC on Twitter. FWNY photos can be viewed on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/fwnypao/ and Instagram at www.instagram.com/fleetweeknyc/. Join the conversation on social media by using #FleetWeekNYC.
| Date Taken: | 05.27.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2016 08:38 |
| Story ID: | 199378 |
| Location: | NEW YORK, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 145 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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