CHARLESTON, S.C. -Volunteers from the Coast Guard Cutter Dallas spent March 15 repairing a local school and providing much needed supplies to an orphanage in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
The 150-person crew of Dallas raised over $600 while at sea to assist the Puerto Plata Elementary School and Casa de Nazaret Orphanage for homeless and disabled children. Approximately 60 volunteers from the crew also made plans to make necessary repairs on the elementary school – a 40-year-old abandoned warehouse that had been converted in to a school.
“The crew of Dallas really went above and beyond in helping out with the project through their time and money that was raised. The response we received from the children, teachers and principle was overwhelming. I was very proud of the work Dallas did and being part of Dallas,” said Chief Petty Officer Frank Blakeney, the cutter’s civil rights officer.
The Puerto Plata Elementary School educates more than 1,700 students and provides jobs to 28 teachers. The Coast Guard volunteers went to the school to paint, pick up trash, fix windows and hang chalkboards. They even found time to play with the Dominican children.
The crew also donated much needed supplies to the Casa de Nazaret and spent as much time as possible interacting with the children at the orphanage.
The members of the Dallas had approximately $100 left from their charity work and donated the money to Puerto Plata Elementary School .
The Dallas is a 378-foot high-endurance cutter that normally spends over six months away from its homeport of Charleston conducting law enforcement, search and rescue, homeland security and national defense missions.
The cutter crew was in the Dominican Republic for a mid-patrol break spending what little free time they had helping the people of Puerto Plata.
Chief Petty Officer Daniel Thomas, Lt. Cmdr. Steven Tucker, Lt. j.g. Jeremy Greenwood, Chief Petty Officer Frank Blakeney painting the kindergarten classroom.
U.S. Coast Guard photograph by the Cutter Dallas.
Ensign Kevin St. Cin spent time with the orphans at Casa de Navaret Orphanage. The crew of the Dallas donated much needed supplies to the orphanage.
U.S. Coast Guard photograph by the Cutter Dallas.
