Sailors Pay Visit To Boys, Girls Club During Little Rock Navy Week

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Pat Migliaccio, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (NNS) -- Sailors from across Arkansas spent May 25 assisting staff at the Whetstone Boys and Girls Club in Little Rock socializing, helping with homework assignments, and teaching new skills.

Their visit coincided with Little Rock Navy Week 2010, one of 20 Navy Weeks planned across America this year. Navy Weeks show Americans the investment they have made in their Navy and increase awareness in cities that do not have a significant Navy presence.

Sailors spoke to more than 100 children, ages 6 to 12, hand at the Boys and Girls Club during the visit. Sailors answered numerous questions about Navy life and participated in sporting activities with them, to include tug of war, basketball and gymnastics.

"I was surprised by the athleticism of these kids," said Navy Counselor 1st Class Brian Hixon, who is attached to the Navy Recruiting Station in Hot Springs. "Some of the boys as young as six years old could already do back flips," he said.

Club officials were delighted with the Navy presence. "This is the newest of the seven centers in Arkansas," said Unit Director Jason Lanier. "It's a place where kids can come after school and let off steam. Here, they can play, learn and stay out of trouble." Lanier said he and his staff welcomed the visit by the Navy.

Another Sailor participating in the visit, Chief Electronics Technician Vincent Gardner, who serves with the Navy Officer Recruiting Station in Little Rock, entertained swarms of energetic kids during a pick-up game of basketball.

"I really enjoyed my time here," said Gardner. "The place is like a YMCA facility. We were well received and the kids asked a lot of general questions on what life is like in the Navy. Hopefully, we reached a few of them and they'll possibly become future Sailors some day."

Other games that the Sailors played with children included pool, pingpong, and foosball during the after-school program.

Naval Aircrewman (Avionics) 2nd Class Mickey Blasingame said the Navy's outreach programs are a valuable way to showcase the Navy.

"This gives the little kids someone to look up to," Blasingame said. "By us getting involved with the community, it makes a positive impact on these youth. I would volunteer to do this again in a heartbeat."

For more information about Little Rock Navy Week 2010 or other Navy Week events through the remainder of 2010, visit www.NavyWeek.org.