The crew of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) recently earned the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Project Good Neighbor Award for the second year in a row after volunteering more than 18,000 hours in the Hampton Roads Community.

The Project Good Neighbor Award recognizes the best volunteer-supported program or special project which promotes outreach activities throughout the year.

"The Sailors on Mighty Ike enjoy giving back to their community,” said Capt. Kyle Higgins, Ike’s commanding officer.  “They had the honor of helping thousands of our fellow neighbors this year. Our Ike Sailors are a big family. That family has a part to play in our community and I'm proud of each and every one of them for earning this award."

The Navy Community Service Program encourages volunteerism between Sailors and local communities.

 “Ike Sailors have made a tremendous impact,” said Cmdr. Darren Stennett, Ike’s command chaplain. “We didn’t just pick one organization to help. We volunteered at Meals on Wheels, Wounded Warrior, the Special Olympics, homeless shelters and schools across the Hampton Roads area.”

Sailors aboard Ike continue to express their sense of stewardship for the community they live in, constantly seeking to make their Hampton Roads home greater each day.

“I am already proud to be an Ike Sailor, and winning this award makes me even prouder to know that my shipmates could accomplish more than 18,000 hours of community service in cooperation with over 200 charities,” said Stennett. “Ike is never short on volunteers. Even on deployment, we had to turn Sailors away because so many wanted to go out and help. It’s really impressive that so many people want go out and help other people.”

A majority of volunteer events happen after working hours or on weekends. Ike Sailors juggle shipyard working hours, family time and still manage to volunteer their time.

“Volunteering gives me a sense of accomplishment that I was able to give back to the community,” said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Marlie Loudin. “It’s awesome to be a part of a command that does so much good in the area, and to be recognized for it gives me pride in not only being a Sailor but as a member of the community as well.”

Ike will now compete against other regions for Navy Installation Command-level honors.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Nimitz-class nuclear power aircraft carrier, is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 10, also known as the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group. Follow Ike on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheCVN69

The crew of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) recently earned the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Project Good Neighbor Award for the second year in a row after volunteering more than 18,000 hours in the Hampton Roads Community.

The Project Good Neighbor Award recognizes the best volunteer-supported program or special project which promotes outreach activities throughout the year.

"The Sailors on Mighty Ike enjoy giving back to their community,” said Capt. Kyle Higgins, Ike’s commanding officer.  “They had the honor of helping thousands of our fellow neighbors this year. Our Ike Sailors are a big family. That family has a part to play in our community and I'm proud of each and every one of them for earning this award."

The Navy Community Service Program encourages volunteerism between Sailors and local communities.

 “Ike Sailors have made a tremendous impact,” said Cmdr. Darren Stennett, Ike’s command chaplain. “We didn’t just pick one organization to help. We volunteered at Meals on Wheels, Wounded Warrior, the Special Olympics, homeless shelters and schools across the Hampton Roads area.”

Sailors aboard Ike continue to express their sense of stewardship for the community they live in, constantly seeking to make their Hampton Roads home greater each day.

“I am already proud to be an Ike Sailor, and winning this award makes me even prouder to know that my shipmates could accomplish more than 18,000 hours of community service in cooperation with over 200 charities,” said Stennett. “Ike is never short on volunteers. Even on deployment, we had to turn Sailors away because so many wanted to go out and help. It’s really impressive that so many people want go out and help other people.”

A majority of volunteer events happen after working hours or on weekends. Ike Sailors juggle shipyard working hours, family time and still manage to volunteer their time.

“Volunteering gives me a sense of accomplishment that I was able to give back to the community,” said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Marlie Loudin. “It’s awesome to be a part of a command that does so much good in the area, and to be recognized for it gives me pride in not only being a Sailor but as a member of the community as well.”

Ike will now compete against other regions for Navy Installation Command-level honors.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Nimitz-class nuclear power aircraft carrier, is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 10, also known as the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group. Follow Ike on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheCVN69

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For more news from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), visit www.navy.mil/.