CID LS Norfolk Sailors Volunteer for Meals on Wheels

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors from Center for Information Dominance (CID) Learning Site Norfolk volunteered to help deliver meals in a partnership with the Meals on Wheels program in Virginia Beach, Va., Jan. 25.

While supplying training and continuous personal and professional development to officer and enlisted personnel, Center for Information Dominance Learning Site Norfolk Sailors are still more than willing to give of their time and labor to help the community.

Meals on Wheels is a nonprofit organization which provides home delivered nutrition, social interaction and a daily routine to individuals who are usually 60 and older and who are unable to obtain or prepare a hot, nutritious meal for themselves.

"It feels good helping people," Information Systems Technician 1st class Marvin Hammond, the CID Meals on Wheels volunteer coordinator said.

Hammond, whose mother was a licensed practical nurse, has seen firsthand how difficult it can sometimes be for handicapped and elderly citizens to get around. For Hammond, and many other CID Sailors, volunteering for Meals on Wheels has become a weekly tradition.

"When we first started the program in June of 2011, we volunteered once a month," he said. "Soon after, we received so much support from Sailors within the Learning Site that were eager to lend a hand that we now participate every Friday."

"I have always been enthusiastic to help others and it feels great to be involved and to give back to the community in which we work and many of us live," Information Systems Technician 1st Class Angelica Torres said.

Linda Kitt, a resident of Virginia Beach whose mother has benefited from Meals on Wheels for two years praised the ongoing volunteer work by the CID Sailors.

"I think this program is great, my mother would not be able to live independently without it," Kitt said. "I think it is great that Sailors are willing to help out."

Tracey Minor, the executive director of the Meals on Wheels of Virginia Beach Inc., agreed that the military volunteers have had a profound effect on the beneficiaries of the program.

"We are thankful for all of our volunteers but are especially excited to have the help of the military, particularly the Sailors from Center for Information Dominance who are one of the most faithful partnerships we have; they have never missed a day," Minor said. "Ninety percent of our participants are retirees so when they see a Sailor in uniform at the door it has an elevated impact. It then becomes more than just about the meal, they make a connection and it reminds them of times in their lives for which they were healthy and proud. More significantly, it demonstrates that even in their elder years a shipmate is still looking out for them."

CID is the Navy's Learning Center that leads, manages and delivers Navy and Joint Force training in information operations, information warfare, information technology, cryptology and intelligence.

For more news from Center for Information Dominance, visit www.navy.mil/local/corry/.