NOB, Norfolk, VA –
Partnering with the city of Norfolk, Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) officially joined the Adopt-A-Spot program Jan. 25, holding its first cleanup at the Titustown Recreation Center – its new adopted spot.
Fifteen MARMC Sailors, mostly members of the command’s Coalition of Sailors Against Destructed Decision (CSADD), picked up six bags of trash around the recreation center, which includes a playground, softball and soccer fields.
Managed by the Keep Norfolk Beautiful campaign, the Adopt-A-Spot program gives local communities the opportunity to contribute to a healthier and cleaner environment by engaging volunteers (leaders, community groups, business groups) to coordinate litter cleanups of designated or adopted sites in the city.
Joining the program means MARMC agrees to maintain the recreation center for a minimum of two years, conducting cleanups once a quarter and assisting with other events or activities.
“We wanted to do something that meant something to someone else,” said Cleanup Coordinator and CSADD President Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Paul Ouma. “One of our shipmates at MARMC has a kid that plays soccer on this field, so this gave us a chance to do something that was close to the command.”
“I like to know kids have a good, safe and clean place to go out and play,” added Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Zaneta Neal. “No trash on the playgrounds, no trash on the fields. If we can come out here and help with that, I’m all for it.”
The mission of CSADD is to provide Sailors with prevention and intervention tools to deal with issues of drinking, reckless driving and destructive decisions while promoting positive lifestyles. This includes participating in community relations projects.
“People see us out in the command raising money for various activities all the time, but we’re not just about fundraising,” said Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 2nd Class Aaron Balestreri. “We’re also about getting out and helping the community. This program is a good way for us (CSADD) to get out and give back. It makes me happy when people can see us out here helping and representing the Navy.”
After participating for two quarters, MARMC will receive a sign on the location letting the entire neighborhood know the effort the Sailors are making to ensure kids have a clean, safe environment to play. Ouma said he hopes the command’s participation in the program will go beyond the two-year requirement.
“We took a leap of faith when we decided to apply for this program,” said Ouma. “We are required to come out here at least once a quarter, but we plan to be out here more. Whenever someone drives by and see things going down, we’ll be out here to do another cleanup. Whenever they request our assistance with an event, we’ll be here. Hopefully, MARMC will be associated with Titustown Recreation Center for years to come.”