Freedom Turns Over Project Handclasp Donation In Panama

PANAMA CITY, Panama (NNS) -- Sailors from the littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Freedom (LCS 1) turned over two pallets of materials donated by Project Handclasp to a local non-governmental organization while visiting Panama City, Panama, March 26.

Patronato del Servicio Nacional de Nutricion accepted the donation of medical and hygiene supplies from Cmdr. Randy Garner, Freedom's commanding officer, at Vasco Nunez de Balboa Naval Base.

"We were happy to be able to support an organization that has enabled so many individual successes," said Garner. "There is no doubt that the contribution the U.S. Navy has made to Patronato del Servicio Nacional de Nutricion will be used to help out many well-deserving families."

Patronato del Servicio Nacional de Nutricion is an organization which engages in sustainable farming projects. It also works closely with the Red Cross during disasters to collect and distribute medical and hygiene supplies.

"Our people are very grateful for this gift," said Priscilla Vizuetti, a project coordinator with Patronato del Servicio Nacional de Nutricion. "This will help them be more self-sustaining."

Freedom arrived in Panama City March 25 to begin its second theater security cooperation port visit. The ship is continuing its maiden deployment to the coasts of Central and South America under the operational control of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet.

For more news from USS Freedom (LCS 1), visit www.navy.mil/local/lcs1/.