Sailors from Expeditionary Combat Camera East participated in a community relations (COMREL) project, Aug. 25, at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens.

During the event, Sailors removed weeds and placed fertilizer amongst several flowerbeds and gardens throughout the botanical garden exhibit area.

"We come here every other week and help with the beautification project," said Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class Ashley Magliocco.

COMRELs provide Sailors an opportunity to give back to their community, fostering positive, lasting relationships with the locals.

"We live in this community," said Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Wyatt Huggitt. "It's important to give back to the community, to be a good example, and to be a role model to the people out here."

Magliocco encourages others to participate in COMRELs to not only give back to the community, but to show the community a different side of the military as well.

"Volunteering is open to anyone, Navy or not," said Magliocco. "It's a good thing to do."

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil/, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy/, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy/.

For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element, visit http://www.navy.mil/.