Photo By Jacob D Holloway | 160705-N-FO981-020 HONOLULU (July 5, 2016) — Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 3rd...... read more read more
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HONOLULU – Sailors assigned to amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) volunteered at River of Life Mission in the historic Chinatown district of Honolulu, while visiting Hawaii during the in-port phase of Rim of the Pacific 2016, July 5.
The purpose of River of Life Mission is to provide rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration services to those in need. Service members over the years have played, and continue to play, a role in the mission’s efforts.
America’s primary purpose in Hawaii is to join other RIMPAC participants for an exercise designed to enhance capability and proficiency when responding to crises as part of a joint or combined effort and helping to preserve peace and prevent conflict. These Sailors are also building bridges in the local community by addressing a local need.
“It makes a connection between the military world and civilian world and builds goodwill with the communities that host us,” said Navy Chaplain Lt. j. g. William Brunner, assigned to America.
There were approximately 7,620 homeless people in Hawaii after a statewide count in 2015, according to state officials. With a population of 100,000, that gives Hawaii the highest rate of homelessness per capita of all 50 states.
“I feel that homelessness is a huge issue in Hawaii and that everyone should be part of the solution,” said Peggy Lau, a weekly volunteer of eight years. “This is my small way of helping and giving back to the community.”
Lau, along with America’s Sailors, prepared and served food to more than 130 people. River of Life serves around 15,000 meals a month, Monday through Friday for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
However, the shelter does more than just feed; it also provides homeless with a place to shower, get a new set of clothes, worship, and even teach job skills. River of Life seeks to provide more of the homeless with jobs at the shelter’s chocolate factory in the near future. Lau and her staff said they are grateful for the mission and for the people who stop in to help.
“I’m only here for a snapshot of what this place does,” Lau said. “There are so many people here that do so many great things.”
The mission is a member of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions, a national network of more than 400 missions throughout the United States dedicated to assisting with the most immediate needs of who are homeless or in need.
America is currently participating in Rim of the Pacific 2016. Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 30 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
| Date Taken: | 07.05.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.23.2016 18:53 |
| Story ID: | 204852 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 99 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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