By MC1 Chris Fahey
Seabees assigned to NCG 1 participate in a bike build benefiting local foster children, NBVC Port Hueneme, Calif. (Photos by MC1 Chris Fahey)
Seabees from Naval Construction Group (NCG) 1 built bicycles for local foster children aboard Naval Base Ventura County Port Hueneme, Calif., Jan. 22. Teaming up with Together We Rise, a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving the foster care experience for the 1,200 children who enter the system each day, NCG 1 Bees donated their time and building skills to provide local foster youths with a smile on wheels.
I saw the organization on Facebook and made contact doing research and asking the right questions, said Information Systems Technician 2
nd Class Rebecca Rubalcava, NCG 1. I have two of my own children now, but before, I parented three foster children. I saw how much love and attention they needed and wanted to give them that. Now, I love giving back as much as I can. It s something in my nature in my blood.
According to Construction Mechanic Constructionman Shaawn Stevens, NCG 1, who has only been in the Navy for six months, the event offered him the chance to volunteer in the local community.
This makes me feel important, said Stevens. Knowing that I was part of the reason kids receiving these bikes are smiling makes me feel really great that I ve done something to make a difference.
The Naval Construction Force (NCF) is a vital component of the U.S. Maritime Strategy. The NCF provides deployable battalions with the capabilities of providing disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance and combat operations support.
UT1 Paul Kuntz (front) and EO2 Melissa Mueller, both assigned to NCG 1, remove a disassembled bicycle from its box during a bike build benefiting local foster children, NBVC Port Hueneme, Calif., Jan. 22.