Sailors assigned to USS Nimitz (CVN 68) volunteered their time to help in the San Diego community during the ship's recent port visit to Naval Air station North Island.

The Sailors pitched in at Habitat for Humanity and the San Diego Food Bank.

"Growing up I didn't have a whole lot and now that I'm more established and have a steady income, it just seems right to give back," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Terrell Conley, a Habitat for Humanity volunteer. "People helped my family out, so now that I can return the favor, it feels good."

Habitat for Humanity is an organization which not only builds houses for families, but also provides discounted home goods such as doors, tools, plumbing appliances and other household goods. Sailors helped out by organizing and loading donations.

The people who volunteer for Habitat for Humanity are the backbone of the organization, as it relies on volunteer work and donations to run properly.

Jacob Westcott, an employee at Habitat for Humanity, said having the help from the Navy shows that there are generous people out there who are willing to give up free time for a good cause, and for that he is thankful.

At the San Diego Food Bank, volunteers got the chance to interact with the community on a more personal level by handing out food to San Diego's less fortunate.

"Even if it's five minutes or five hours, if you can give back, give back," said Conley.

Volunteer opportunities during port visits allow Nimitz Sailors to donate their time to the improvement of the community that hosts them.

Nimitz is currently underway in preparation for an upcoming 2017 deployment.

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