Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Josh Cote | 211007-N-UJ449-1131 ACI SANT’ANTONIO, Italy (Oct. 7, 2021) Lt. Roi De Guzman,...... read more read more
During Operations Allies Refuge, a mission to facilitate the safe departure of evacuees from Afghanistan, donations poured in to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at Naval Air Station Sigonella. As soon as a need was identified, community members in Sigonella and Sicilian communities rallied to fulfill it, providing everything from backpacks, shower shoes, stuffed animals, diapers, formula, phone chargers, and more.
As the operation started to wind down, an abundance of donations remained, posing a logistical challenge for Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella (NAVSUP FLCSI). After consultations between NAVSUP, the religious ministries department, and the region legal services detachment, the decision was made to donate the surplus supplies to those in need in Sicily.
“The NAS Sigonella Public Affairs Office regularly supports a large network of Sicilian charities through our ongoing volunteer Community Relations (COMREL) program, so we thought it was a good idea to contact them asking if they would accept these excess donations,” said COMREL Director Dr. Alberto Lunetta.
NAVSUP Sailors, along with members of the Italian Air Force, took the donations to two separate locations in Acireale, Oct. 7, 2021. The first location was the Caritas charity in Aci Sant’Antonio and the second drop off was at the Saint Camillus Foundation in Riposto, both charities belong to the Acireale Diocese. Over 40 pallets full of excess donations were delivered to local communities, ensuring that the generosity displayed during OAR continued beyond the original mission.
Sorting and transporting the donations, which included clothing, hygiene items, household goods and baby supplies, was not an easy task.
“We had to separate all the items and make sure to package them up carefully,” said Lt. Roi De Guzman, NAVSUP logistics support officer. “After separating the items, we had to identify which items could be redistributed to help our local community. Dr. Lunetta was a big help in coordinating this event with the community, and this has been a great opportunity for our Sailors to volunteer and give back to the community.”
During the donation events, the local bishop came out to show his support by talking with and thanking the Sailors and the Navy for all the support to the local community.
“I would like to thank both Sigonella Italian and American service members for their generous donations,” said Bishop Antonio Raspanti, the Bishop of Acireale. “Their volunteerism shows that their base is not isolated from the surrounding communities, and they are willing to give back. In particular, the U.S. Navy volunteer projects, which are ongoing in the Acireale area, have been truly making a difference.”
When it comes to community relations events out in town, it is not very often the U.S. Navy and the Italian Air Force get a chance to coordinate and work together.
“It feels good to represent the U.S. Navy and the base,” said De Guzman. “It’s for a good cause, and it is great to see the continuous partnership between the Italian Air Force and the U.S. Navy here at Sigonella.”
The base will continue to donate more excess pallets left in the next few weeks to other Sicilian charities
| Date Taken: | 11.05.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.12.2021 04:36 |
| Story ID: | 408970 |
| Location: | SIGONELLA, IT |
| Web Views: | 113 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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