Sailors, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), volunteered at the Naval Air Station North Island commissary, November 15.

For two hours Sailors prepared more than 100 gift baskets that are going to be given to military families in need for Thanksgiving.

“I think volunteering is a good way to give back to our community and to show that we care,” said Aviation Support Equipment Technician 1st Class Gerald Ugale. “It is great to know that my contribution, no matter how small, is going to help somebody out.”

Holiday expenses can be high and not all Sailors are in a financial position to provide extra meals for their families or travel home for the holidays.

“There are families in need and it’s important that we help our fellow military members,” said Aviation Boatswain Mate (Handling) 1st Class Raymond Scatliffe. “I volunteer during the holidays to help Sailors who are less fortunate than others.”

While it is important to help military families it also provides an opportunity for team building.

“I volunteer because Sailors all work together,” said Aviation Boatswain Mate (Fueling) 1st Class Nguyentrung Ta. “What sets the Navy apart is that even when we are not at work we are still a team.”

Amanda Tapolski, the assistant commissary officer at the Naval Air Station North Island commissary, said having Sailors volunteer provided a great help to the event.

“Putting an event together like this at a small store is difficult because we don’t have many people,” said Tapolski. “So having Sailors here to help put the baskets together is wonderful and I am grateful for it.”   

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