Twenty Sailors from the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) participated in a community service project (COMSERV) at the Olongapo Social Development Center for Girls while in Subic Bay for a scheduled port visit, May 22.

The center, established in 2000, provides shelter, care and social services for girls who have been abandoned, neglected or abused.

"Helping at the center was the highlight of my time in Subic Bay," said Ensign Stefanie Cotner. "Just those few hours at the center supplied me with a lifetime of moments that I will never forget. There was a real sense of love and compassion that we all felt as soon as we walked through the door."

The Sailors spent the morning at the center doing activities and playing games with the students before watching the girls perform dance routines and a karate demonstration.

"Their dance performance was absolutely incredible and well-coordinated," said Ship's Serviceman Seaman Gelisa Foy. "They all knew the routine, from the youngest to the oldest, and their smiles while they performed left a lasting impression on my heart."

Though the COMSERV at the center was officially a one-day opportunity for the Sailors to give their time at the shelter, five Sailors took additional time from their liberty to return to the center again on May 25.

"Together, we thought about what was most important, and we knew we wanted to go back and do something more for the girls at the center," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Christopher Thomas.
Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, Chung-Hoon is operating as part of the John C. Stennis Strike Group and Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment.

For more information go to www.facebook.com/pages/USS-CHUNG-HOON-DDG-93/122211737802543.