USS Constitution Sailor Gives Caps to Kids During Austin Navy Week

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kathryn E. Macdonald, USS Constitution Public Affairs

AUSTIN, Texas (NNS) -- A Sailor assigned to USS Constitution gave Navy ballcaps to children during a Caps for Kids visit at Dell's Children's Medical Center in Austin, Texas, March 25.

Logistics Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Benjamin Hanson participated in the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO)-sponsored visit, giving ballcaps to children dealing with chronic and severe health issues as part of Austin Navy Week, March 19-26.

"It gives the children something to aspire to grow up to be," said Sara Bridges, Dell's Children's Medical Center, child life assistant. "For example, you want to be in the Navy and the opportunity was given to meet someone in the Navy. That is a very positive and unforgettable experience for a child to have."

Sailors assigned to NAVCO, USS George H.W. Bush and Navy Recruiting District San Antonio, also participated. In total, Sailors passed out 30 ballcaps.

They also played board games with children and interacted with them as one-on-one mentors.

"It was a very heart-wrenching experience," said Hanson. "I was asked to talk to one of the children in the hospital; it was very close and personal. I really hope by talking to him I had a positive effect on him and his well-being."

Caps for Kids became a national outreach effort in 2000. Since then, more than 300 commands and thousands of Sailors have donated ballcaps to more than 500 hospitals across the United States.

Constitution Sailors gave more than 90 ballcaps to children during Navy Weeks in 2010.

Constitution participates in more than 50 volunteer projects annually. The ship is the recipient of the 2009 and 2010 President's Volunteer Service Award and Commander, Navy Region (COMNAVREG) Middle Atlantic (MIDLANT) Good Neighbor Flagship award for small shore commands in 2010.

COMNAVREG MIDLANT presents the award to commands that have the best year-round community service program or special projects that provide humanitarian assistance to the less fortunate.

The ship is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. She is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors per year.