JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLONA –
As with many military commands, Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC) is an extremely demanding environment for staff and students alike. The level of knowledge and technical expertise required for success requires a time commitment beyond anything many have experienced.
Such a commitment to professional excellence can limit the time we have to give back to the Charleston community. But it’s important for us, as the military, to serve the community that openly welcomes us on a daily basis. The Day of Caring provides NNPTC an opportunity to develop our students as contributing members of their community while fulfilling their military obligations.
The Day of Caring is the largest community service outreach project in the Charleston area. On November 18, 2016, 815 sailors, both staff and student volunteers from NNPTC, participated in the 15th Annual Trident United Way Day of Caring.
The United Way successfully partnered 5,000 volunteers and completed more than 275 projects for non-profit agencies and schools across the tri-county region.
NNPTC has a long standing partnership with the Trident United Way Day of Caring initiative. Throughout the day, the sailors provided over 3,300 hours to nine different non-profit organizations across 11 project sites throughout the Lowcountry. Some of these projects included maintenance and restoration at Patriot’s Point, landscaping and painting at three Summerville YMCA locations, and sorting and distributing coats and supplies for the homeless or impoverished at Tricounty Family Ministries.
Over the course of the past year, NNPTC has expanded its commitment to volunteer and serve the community by launching a Day of Caring 365 initiative with Katie’s Krops, one of their Trident United Way Day of Caring partners. This year-round initiative, led by Chief Petty Officer Michael McIlrath, has been extremely rewarding and beneficial for both the Sailors and Charleston community.
McIlrath, along with dozens of sailors attached to NNPTC, dedicated countless hours completing numerous projects for Katie’s Krops, including building a new garden and fence, assembling a shed, and providing relief immediately following Hurricane Matthew.
The 2016 Day of Caring was a resounding success. NNPTC looks forward to continuing its partnership with The United Way and being committed to the local community for years to come.