Sailors assigned to Cooperative Security Location (CSL) Comalapa, Patrol Squadron (VP) 47, and the U.S Embassy delivered toys, supplies, and pizza to the children at the Benjamin Bloom Children's Hospital Burn and Pediatric Oncology units located in San Salvador, El Salvador, Dec. 23.

Since 2008, the toy drive has become an annual event led by the U.S. Embassy Force Protection Detachment and was first instituted by former Navy Criminal Investigative Service Special Agent Daniel Gilbride. This year the CSL and VP-47 were honored with an invitation to participate. Cmdr. Donald Williams, commanding officer of CSL accepted the invitation and challenged the members of the CSL and VP-47 to donate toys and raise money for this great opportunity. Information Systems Technician 1st Class Angel Borges from the CSL led the fundraising and toy donation efforts.

With the combined effort of the embassy, CSL, and VP-47, the event was a heartfelt success and was able to provide gifts, pizza, and supplies the hospital requested for more than 110 children during this holiday season.

The Hospital Nacional de Niños "Benjamn Bloom" (BB), is the only hospital in the country which has a pediatric hematology-oncology service with a pediatric hematology staff. It is also the only hospital to which children with presumed leukemia diagnosis are referred for treatment. The treatment is completely free of charge with approximately 75 percent of funding provided by St. Jude Hospital and the Salvadoran Government.

CSL and VP-47 personnel showed enthusiasm and were happy to assist the communities in and around San Salvador with as much support as possible.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity to visit with the children at the Bloom Medical Center this holiday season," Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Matthew Waterman of VP-47. "It was a very humbling and enjoyable experience to be able to spread holiday cheer with such wonderful people."

That sentiment was shared by Sailors who volunteered their time by contributing and visiting the hospital.

CSL Comalapa provides critical logistics, infrastructure, and operational support to forward-deployed U.S. and partner nation aviation assets participating in Joint Interagency Task Force South assigned counter-narcotic/illicit trafficking operations, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-directed humanitarian missions, and search and rescue efforts.

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