Sailors Give Back to the Community at Kansas City Navy Week

By Lt. Glenn Sircy, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

April 30, 2010 - KANSAS CITY, Mo. (NNS) -- Fifteen Sailors from Navy Recruiting Station and Navy Operational Support Center Kansas City, Mo., volunteered to help build a home with Habitat for Humanity Kansas City April 28.

Habitat for Humanity Kansas City is the seventh oldest affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International and is a non-profit Christian ministry working to fulfill the dream of home ownership for low-income families in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.

Throughout the day, Sailors replaced drywall and installed insulation. They also landscaped, installed siding, painted and removed tattered and worn flooring, under the guidance of a site manager.

"This is my first opportunity working with Sailors and they have been incredible. I am truly impressed with how they serve their country and community at the same time," said Robert Pine, the site manager.

"It is always good to give back to the community and help others that are less fortunate. Since an early age, I have always liked helping people, and I'm grateful to be able to lend a helping hand today," said Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SW) Chris Wheeler.

"The home is scheduled to be completed by the end of the summer, and it will become the home of a local Kansas City elderly gentleman with limited mobility," said Emily Ulm, volunteer services coordinator.

Kansas City Navy Week is one of 20 Navy weeks planned across the country in 2010. Navy weeks are designed to educate Americans on the importance of Naval service, understand the investment they make in their Navy and to increase awareness in cities which might not otherwise see the Navy at work on a regular basis.