Navy Sailors are always willing to lend a hand and volunteer when needed. That's why on April 30, 27 Cooperative Security Location Comalapa, El Salvador, and Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 personnel donated more than 135 work-hours in support of the Garden Initiative.

The Garden Initiative is a faith-based, non-profit organization that seeks to improve local communities by actions of kindness and through training and equipping local churches and social organizations to improve the nutrition of local children, adults and families through gardening in their own backyards. The organization is working with a local church, La Gran Comision, in La Libertad, El Salvador.

One of the church leaders, Alex Marks, recently reached out to CSL and requested help in building a nutrition center and with general upkeep of the church. Through the help and expertise of CSL and VP-4 personnel, construction began on the nutrition center and at the end of the day an interior wall had been built, a sink installed, the church ceiling and perimeter gates painted and hazardous debris removed from the installation. The Sailors were pleased with the work performed, and they are excited about coming back in the weeks ahead to help finish the project.

"It was a great accomplishment to see us all come together for one cause; to help the less fortunate," said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class James Farrell, from CSL.

Through selfless service, CSL and VP-4 Sailors are not only helping out the local community, but are also forging the image of all Americans and the Navy as being a good example for the world to follow.

This new nutrition center project will not only help feed the local population, but will also provide a safe place for Salvadoran youths to congregate and play. The center will provide a safe learning environment where young children will be taught morals, but more importantly, have a place to go to play with other children. Many children in El Salvador are considered to be at risk of gang violence. This nutrition center will welcome youths of all ages to help them lead a life free from violence. CSL Comalapa personnel are dedicated to this cause and will continue to support this project on their days off.

"Thank you again for your help in coordinating Saturday's event, and for your team's awesome work," said Alex Marks, executive director of the Family Garden Initiative and church leader. "It is an honor and a blessing for us personally, as well as for the community and church here in La Libertad."

Cooperative Security Location 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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