The sales division aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) donated a check for $40,000 to the ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) office for future events and activities for the crew while underway June 26.

"It feels great to be able to receive money from the ship's sales division to contribute to the fund raising efforts already put forth by MWR to plan bigger events for the crew," said Culinary Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Carlos Escaleragovea, MWR president. "I am honored to have such a great Supply department to assist with the morale of the ship, because it is a big part of keeping the crew happy."

Escaleragovea was elected as MWR president in April and has been a great asset to the ship's MWR program.

The funds donated were proceeds from the ship's store, vending machines and coffee bar over the course of four months; quite a bit of money for a smaller crew in such a short period of time.

"It feels great to be able to raise this much money for MWR," said Lt. j.g. Nathan Courter, the ship's disbursing officer. "It is great for the S-3 division to be able to see that their work goes to a great cause and it is great for MWR to be able to plan bigger events for the crew."

The amount of merchandise moved over four months came with extra breakouts, stock replenishment and a significant amount of paperwork.

"Portland's crew is an amazing collection of Sailors and they truly deserve every penny of this money that was raised for them by the expertise of the ship's servicemen," said Lt. Blake Garner, ship's supply officer. "I'm extremely proud to be the department head and a Sailor on this amazing warship."

Portland is commanded by Capt. J.R. Hill and serves under Expeditionary Strike Group 3. Portland is currently underway in the Pacific Ocean and will be serving as the flagship for U.S. 3rd Fleet for Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2018 in Hawaii. For the first time since RIMPAC 2002, U.S. 3rd Fleet's Command Center will relocate from San Diego to Pearl Harbor to support command and control of all 3rd Fleet forces in 3rd Fleet's area of responsibility to include forces operating in the Western Pacific.

U.S. 3rd Fleet provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy and leads naval forces throughout the Pacific theater of operations in coordination with U.S. 7th Fleet to promote ongoing peace, security and stability.

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

For more news from USS Portland (LPD 27), visit www.navy.mil/.