Sailors from Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) participated in a community service event in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Feb. 23.

Twelve Lassen Sailors assembled and distributed 21 wheelchairs donated by the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) during the port visit.

"It was amazing to see the smiles on the faces of those who received the wheelchairs," said Fire Controlman 1st Class Demetrius Allen, Lassen's community relations (COMREL) coordinator. "Those smiles help reinforce part of what we strive to accomplish; to be a force for good and give back to the communities that accept us."

The wheelchairs were donated to 21 locals as selected by the Mexican agency for child welfare, Desarrollo Intergral de la Familia (DIF).

In addition to the wheelchairs, Project Handclasp items were also distributed to the families in attendance, to include school supplies, hygiene products, soccer balls and washcloths.

Project Handclasp is a U.S. Navy program that accepts and transports educational, humanitarian and goodwill material donated by America's private sector on a space-available basis aboard U.S. Navy ships for distribution to foreign nation recipients.

"Many of us got to where we were because someone gave us a helping hand," said Cmdr. Robert Francis, commanding officer of Lassen. "Events like this are our way of giving back to the local community while building enduring friendships."

Lassen departed Yokosuka, Japan, Jan. 6, for her new homeport of Mayport, Florida, after serving nearly 10 years as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces.

She is currently deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility supporting law enforcement operations.

For more news from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.