May 13, 2010 - SPOKANE, Wash. (NNS) -- USS Constitution Sailors gave Navy ball caps to children during Caps for Kids visits at Sacred Heart and Shriners Hospitals in Spokane, Wash., May 10.
Command Master Chief (SW/SS/AW) David Twiford, Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 2nd Class (AW/SW) Jason Keith, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SW) Dana Loney, Airman Trina Pardo and Seaman Mark Gonzales participated in the Navy Office of Community Outreach-managed visits as part of Spokane Navy Week, May 10-15.
"It always feels very good to give like this," said Loney. "I've done Caps for Kids visits before, and it never fails to make you appreciate the work we're doing and the things we should not take for granted."
Constitution's Sailors gave 12 ball caps in total and words of encouragement to children they visited.
"I just wanted them to know that I may not understand exactly what they're going through, but I still hope they get better, and I hope by us being here today, they know we do care about them," said Gonzales.
Caps for Kids became a national outreach effort in 2000. Since then, more than 300 commands and thousands of Sailors have donated ball caps to more than 500 hospitals across the U.S. Most of the children who were given ball caps are dealing with long-term or lifelong health issues.
"It was one of the big points of my day, because when lying in a hospital, I can't do much," said Nicholas Nelson, 15. "And I look up to the people who do this, because they are fighting for our freedoms."
Spokane is one of 20 Navy Weeks planned across America for 2010. 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.
Constitution's Sailors participate in more than 50 volunteer projects annually. The ship is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors a year.
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