Navy civilian recognized by TV station for her charity work

By Bill Bartkus
NAVAIR Depot North Island

CORONADO, Calif. – Andy Warhol once said that everyone is famous for 15 minutes. Recently, Cheryl Nelson, an administrative assistant with NAVAIR Depot North Island here, and her husband Kirk were famous for several minutes when they received the KGTV Channel 10 Leadership Award for their continuous volunteer efforts in helping San Diego youth and Navy and Marine Corps families. The presentation, given at a National City elementary school, was aired on KGTV.

The award wasn’t a surprise because the TV station called the couple one evening and informed them of their selection.

The Nelsons are active members of American Legion Post 255 in National City. Retired Navy chief petty officer and Legionnaire Jimmy Dorsey nominated the couple for the award.

The Leadership Award cited the Nelsons for organizing various fund-raisers, volunteering their time and soliciting donations from private companies and community organizations to provide two National City elementary schools with 60 backpacks filled with school supplies. Through their hard work, the girl’s softball team at Sweetwater Union High School received new uniforms and had their playing field upgraded. And through their generous efforts, high school girls and boys had the opportunity to participate in a mock government educational program that introduces them to the functions of government.

For the past four years, the Nelsons have arranged holiday dinner basket fund-raisers to support junior enlisted sailors and Marines in the San Diego area. Their tireless effort resulted in giving food baskets where there is a need. “One time, we gave 25 baskets to a helicopter squadron because the command had married junior enlisted members who were in need,” Cheryl said. “We also gave some baskets to the North Island Chaplains’ Office to distribute to other needy sailors.”

“Cheryl’s efforts and successes are fine examples of what can be done with generosity and hospitality,” said Brian Frank, head of the Depot’s Research and Engineering Group.

Kirk Nelson is a retired Navy senior chief petty officer and is a program manager for General Dynamics in San Diego.

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