Sailors assigned to Naval Station Norfolk helped their local community by volunteering at Northside Middle School to help set up classrooms for the upcoming school year, July 12.

"We have always had a good relationship with the military community," said Richard Fraley, Northside Middle School principal. "Most of our students are from military families, so it means a lot to us when they volunteer. We are very happy to have them here."

Northside Middle School is a public school, opened in 1956, that educates more than 750 students per school year in 55 classrooms. Northside serves 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students.

"I volunteer at Northside Middle School to help out the community and the younger kids," said Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Justin Grave, from Atlanta. "I volunteered last year during a career day to talk about the Navy and some of the different rates it has to offer."

Volunteering is meant to encourage Sailors to make a difference in the local community. It also shows the Navy's appreciation for the support from the local community.

"I like doing anything to help the kids in the community," said Machinist's Mate 1st Class Lamont Green. "I volunteer as a coach for the public basketball league in Atlantic City, New Jersey on the weekends, so when I have time to volunteer locally I take advantage of the opportunity."

Green, assigned to Naval Station Port Operations, has been in the Navy for more than 15 years and is a native of Bridgeton, New Jersey.

Sailors placed more than 530 student and 20 teacher desks throughout 17 classrooms.

Roderick Bridgers, the head of maintenance for the Norfolk School District was excited and grateful for the Sailors work help.

"If it weren't for these volunteers my staff and I would have had to set up all the classrooms ourselves," said Bridges. "Because of these Sailors I can enjoy my vacation knowing that the school has been taken care of."

With the never-ending support from communities, Northside will continue to grow and evolve to provide all of its stakeholders with the 21st century skills needed to achieve success in the global economy.

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