Constitution Sailors Participate in Caps for Kids During New Orleans Navy Week

By Seaman Michael Achterling, USS Constitution Public Affairs

GRETNA, La. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to USS Constitution gave Navy ball caps to children during a Caps for Kids event at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans, April 19.

Chief Culinary Specialist (SW/AW) Kelvin Wiggins, Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW) Conrad Hunt, Damage Controlman Fireman Ashley Fairfax, Seaman Stephen Beck, and Yeoman Seaman Jaslynn Villanueva participated in the Navy Office of Community Outreach-sponsored event as part of New Orleans Navy Week, April 16-23.

"It's important for Sailors to participate in community outreach programs like Caps for Kids," said Wiggins. "Caps for Kids gives Sailors a chance to step back from their normal duties and interact with children who need a helping hand."

Caps for Kids became a national outreach effort in 2000. Since then, more than 500 commands and thousands of Sailors have donated ball caps to hospitals across the U.S. Most of the children who were given ball caps are dealing with long-term or lifelong health issues.

"It gives the children a morale boost," said Phyllis Dotson, child life coordinator at Ochsner Hospital. "Having members of the armed forces visit creates a very special atmosphere for the children and parents."

The idea for the Caps for Kids program originated at Children's Hospital, New Orleans in 1993 by Dr. Stephen Heinrich, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.

"Interacting with these kids was something I'm never going to forget," said Villanueva. "I felt like I shared a special moment with each child I visited."

New Orleans is the second of eight Navy Weeks Constitution Sailors are scheduled to participate in during 2012, celebrating the bicentennial of the War of 1812. The primary purpose of Navy Week is to increase Navy awareness by presenting the Navy to Americans who live in cities that normally do not have a significant naval presence. New Orleans Navy Week will showcase the mission, capabilities and achievements of the U.S. Navy and provide residents the opportunity to meet Sailors firsthand.

Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors per year. She defended the sea lanes against threat from 1797 to 1855, much like the mission of today's Navy. America's Navy: Keeping the sea free for more than 200 years.

Constitution's mission today is to offer community outreach and education about the ship's history.