Posted on 03/27/2004 5:36:13 PM PST by BykrBayb
Story Number: NNS040326-06 Release Date: 3/26/2004 10:34:00 AM
By Coleen R. San Nicolas-Perez, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas Public Affairs
SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- At Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 5, community service is more than an opportunity for Sailors to grow. It’s a tradition.
HC-5 donated 50 computers to F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School March 17. The school will utilize the equipment in its computer science-journalism laboratory. The school will also be able to create a reading lab, said Principal Ken Denusta.
“[HC-5] has done a lot of wonderful things for the school,” he said. “The partnership with HC-5 is tremendous. We’re very fortunate to have them adopt our school.”
According to Chief Information Systems Technician (AW) Luisa Santana, leading chief petty officer of the squadron’s automated data processing department, HC-5 received several new computers from Naval Air Force Pacific to replace some of the outdated equipment. Instead of disposing of the old computers, the command decided to donate them to the Yigo school, Santana said.
“We’re happy to have done it,” added Lt. Cmdr. Dominick Strada, the squadron’s operations officer. Strada said technicians with the department did an excellent job cleaning up and preparing the computers. The crew volunteered their time during lunch breaks, after work and on weekends to prep the computers within a two week period.
“I’m not surprised,” Strada said. “Community service is pretty much a part of HC-5. I see it a lot, but I’m always impressed.”
The technicians also volunteered to transport the computers from the squadron to the school. Once at the school, the students surrounded the Sailors, who also carried the equipment into the classrooms.
“The kids were so excited,” said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Kimberly Klopp, one of the volunteers. “They came up to me asking, ‘Ma’am, can I help?’”
Information Systems Technician 1st Class Ronnie Santos, the department’s leading petty officer, also assisted with the donation. Santos, who is originally from Guam, attended F.B. Leon Guerrero as a child. He said he is happy HC-5 was able to give back to the community where he was raised.
“It’s a good feeling, but Sailors give this kind of support wherever they are,” he explained. “It’s one of the reasons why some people join the Navy in the first place.”
In the past couple of months, the squadron has helped clean up the school, and is currently tutoring students on Saturdays. In addition, HC-5 spouses donate supplies to the school on a regular basis, according to Denusta.
For related news, visit the U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/guam.
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