CPO 365: Chiefs Show Firsts Value of Volunteering

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (NNS) -- More than 25 first class and chief petty officers from commands around Naval District Washington volunteered their time and energy to help feed needy families in Alexandria, Va., April 27.

The Sailors, along with other volunteers from non-profit organizations One Brick and ALIVE!, spent four hours putting together and distributing more than a ton of food in the form of bags of canned and dry goods and boxes filled with fresh vegetables, bread and meats.

ALIVE! is ALexandrians InVolved Ecumenically, a group of approximately 40 congregations in Alexandria. On the last Saturday of every month, ALIVE! has groups of volunteers process food "orders" for needy families and individuals in our community.

One Brick is a non-profit organization that provides support to other local non-profit and community organizations by creating a unique, social and flexible volunteer environment for those interested in making a concrete difference in the community.

"It makes you feel good when you are out here. You can help out 'one brick' at a time," said Coast Guard 2nd Class Petty Officer Ryan Wheeler, One Brick event manager and coordinator. "You might feel like just staying at home on a Saturday, but you get out here and get some physical work in. I mean I could do cardio later or I could just come here and get stuff in boxes and give it to people."

The Navy chiefs and petty officers came together to volunteer as part of the Chief Petty Officer Association and CPO 365. CPO 365 is a year-round leadership training environment for first class petty officers that are seeking to take the mantle of chief.

"It grooms us and takes petty officers first classe to the next level," said Information Systems Technician 1st Class Detrick Richardson, one of the petty officers who came out to help.

Volunteer events like VA Alive! food drive as a teambuilding and morale building event as well.

"Becoming a chief in the Navy is a special accomplishment," explained Senior Chief Yeoman (SW) Hilton T.Owens, who helped organize the event. "This is so we can come together and interact with the first classes and do something good for the community. It's a good way to give back and meet people that you have never met. "

Chief petty officers know about service above and beyond the call of duty.

"We are trying to teach them that it is not about them, it's about giving to others and projecting," Owens said. "If a young adult is in line with his mother and sees the Navy out here doing something good, they might want to join. They can see the Navy isn't just about fighting wars and protecting the U.S. We are more than that."

The first class petty officers understand that and they agree.

"We decided to come here today to help out those less fortunate and to give back to society and the community, " said Information Systems Technician 1st Class Dedric Richardson. "It shows all of us can come together and change the community, the city, the nation and the world."

For more news from Naval History and Heritage Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navhist/.