Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) participated in a community relations (COMREL) event at the San Diego Center for Children, March 28-29. Sailors took part in beautification projects on the center's main campus by helping out with landscaping, demolition and disposing heavy trash.

"I think it is great doing this to help out this organization that helps children," said Aviation Boatswains Mate (Handling) Raykwon Lawson, from Youngstown, Ohio. "By doing this we're setting an example to help people and maybe it will inspire others to want to help out to."

The San Diego Center for Children is a non-profit organization that helps at-risk youth and their families through therapy, education and other programs.

"Basically we have 11 acres here on our main campus with a maintenance crew of three and a non-profit budget," said Warren Johnson, the special events and volunteer manager at the San Diego Center for Children. "There just isn't enough money or hands here to do these kinds of beautification and heavy lifting projects. That's why having the Bonhomme Richard folks here is such a big help to us. It makes a huge difference in such a short amount of time."

This was the second Bonhomme Richard COMREL at the San Diego Center for Children.

"Yesterday's group did a great job in beautifying the campus by taking down a bunch of weeds, taking out furniture that wasn't needed anymore, and ripping apart some of the rooms that we're refurbishing," said Johnson. "Today's group is doing the same thing with some of the heavy lifting type of stuff. It's just a huge help because we don't really have the time or money to do it ourselves. We really appreciate it."

"I've always liked working with kids and today we get to help out a staple in the community with the goal of helping kids," said Airman Daniel Stein, from Aurora, Colo. "It's exciting that we get to come out here and learn about this place and how it helps the community. It's cool to be helping people who help people."

Bonhomme Richard is in its homeport of San Diego.

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