Fri, Mar 05, 2004
Naval Aviation Unit Help Kids In Need
While designed to kill the enemy, it's nice to see military
aviation in the caregiving business, as it makes dreams come true
for underprivileged youth. One Naval group is making a
world of difference for kids in need. Sea Control Squadron (VS) 32
"Maulers" returned home from their six-month deployment aboard USS
Enterprise (CVN 65) to the cheers of countless friends and family
Feb. 25, but to Christina Brown, the homecoming had added
meaning.
During their deployment, the Maulers raised money for Dreams
Come True, a Jacksonville-based non-profit organization dedicated
to fulfilling the dreams of children with life-threatening
illnesses. The money they raised will be used to send a tennager,
named Brown, and her family on a Disney cruise in May. "I’m
really looking forward to meeting the men and women who helped make
my dream a reality," Brown said, as she waited anxiously for the
Maulers to return. Brown is a 14-year-old girl who is battling
neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder of the nervous system that
results in tumors on the nerves anywhere in the body at any given
time. Because of her illness, Brown is a double-amputee and is
wheelchair bound. Brown remains cheerful and enjoys playing in the
Baldwin High School Band, despite her disease.
Over the course of their deployment, the men and women of the
Maulers implemented a unique fundraising event called the OK Pass
Project to sponsor Brown’s dream. The project incorporated
the grading system that measures pilot performance when landing on
an aircraft carrier. For every "OK Pass" landing (reasonable
deviations with above average corrections), $1 was donated to
Dreams Come True. For every "No Grade" (below average but safe), $2
was donated to the organization. The Maulers raised about
$1,000 because of the OK Pass Project.
"We were more than happy to help," said Aviation Structural
Mechanic 2nd Class (AW/SW) Yusmani Bitorsosa. "Knowing that we
could help make this girl's dream come true really gave us that
little bit of extra motivation." The Maulers are currently seeking
matching funds from local businesses to help make other
children’s dreams come true.
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