By REBECCA MARCH
NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs Department

PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD—Three Naval Air Station Patuxent River volunteer programs have been named 2002 Naval District Washington Community Service Programs of the Year. Volunteers from here were recognized for their efforts in three community service flagships - Personal Excellence Partnership; Health, Safety and Fitness; and Environmental Stewardship.

The Navy Community Service of the Year Award Program recognizes exemplary voluntary community service activities. Through this program, Navy volunteers make a difference by strengthening education, preserving the environment, providing humanitarian assistance, and promoting anti-drug and healthy lifestyles.

Rear Adm. C. E. Weaver, Naval District Washington commandant, thanked the volunteers who participated in these award-winning community service programs.

"Their initiative, dedication and hard work have not only resulted in your command's selection for the three NDW Community Service Awards ... but also contributed greatly to enhancing the quality of life within your area and improving the future prospects of the region's youth," Weaver wrote in a letter to Capt. Dane Swanson, NAS Patuxent River commanding officer. "Your Community Service Program volunteers are truly local heroes, deserving emulation by Sailors and Navy civilians throughout our region, our Navy, and our nation."

One program deserving emulation is the longstanding environmental community awareness program, which won in the NDW Environmental Stewardship flagship. Members of the Environmental Department and its natural resources division teach the community about the environment. For the past 17 years, volunteers have taught about the natural and cultural resources of the station while focusing on safety, conservation, preservation and restoration.

During the award period from July 1, 2001, to June 30, 2002, station environmental and natural resources professionals hosted and visited more than 2,000 school-aged students from 60 different school groups, scout packs, 4-H groups, clubs, societies and day care groups.

Student activities take place on and off the station for special environmental celebrations, including Earth Day, America Recycles Day, Arbor Day, International Migratory Bird Day and Historic Preservation Day.

Taking the NDW Personal Excellence Partnership flagship is another longstanding, award-winning community service program here. Since the early 1990s, Pax River's Personal Excellence Partnership program has enhanced the quality of local education by promoting Navy-education partnerships in the schools, on station and in the local community.

Station personnel provide students with a solid foundation in math, science and reading skills by tutoring students each week. Station personnel mentor at-risk students, helping them stay in school and succeed, while providing all students with role models. From beginning Sailors to seasoned officers, NAS Patuxent River is helping Southern Maryland students achieve their best with the help of meaningful relationships with caring adults.

Through partnerships with 26 schools in the Southern Maryland region during the last school year, more than 70 PEP volunteers from here logged more than 3,600 hours serving approximately 17,000 students in public, private and parochial schools in the Southern Maryland region.

The final community service program taking an NDW award is Pax River's Special Olympics program, which was recognized in the Health, Safety and Fitness flagship. The Pax River volunteers who support Special Olympics of St. Mary's County work hand-in-hand with the community to provide sports training, athletic competition and encouragement to individuals with mental retardation, giving them an opportunity to develop physical fitness, improve motor skills, demonstrate courage and build self-confidence. More than 140 volunteers from 11 commands served as timekeepers and scorekeepers, awarded medals and assisted athletes with special needs during this year's spring games April 24.

Pax River's nomination packages in these flagships have been forwarded to the Navy Personnel Command as the NDW regional entries in the Navy-wide Community Service Program of the Year Award program.
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