Midn. 1/C Gerald Wheeler and Midn. 2/C Zachary Thrasher help a student put on his new coat in the auditorium of Annapolis Elementary School Jan. 28. U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Patrick Green.
Midshipmen from the Naval Academy’s 22nd Company teamed up with the Coats for Kids Foundation Jan. 28 to donate coats to local students at Annapolis Elementary School.
Accompanied by Commandant of Midshipmen Capt. Matthew L. Klunder and Paul Darby, president of the Coats for Kids Foundation, the midshipmen presented colorful, durable winter coats to all of the school’s students.
To help organize their efforts to give back to the community, 22nd Company turned to academy ombudsman Belva Robinson. After identifying Coats For Kids as a great way to help the community, they used private contributions from the Class of 1957, parents’ clubs and other private donations to raise enough money to buy the coats for only $15 to $17 each.
Established in 2004, Coats for Kids distributed 800 coats in its first year. From 2008 to 2009, members of Coats for Kids were able to provide 20,400 coats with assistance from the Combined Federal Campaign and other contributors.
The charity focuses on serving the Alexandria, Va., and greater D.C. area, but extends its services to other states.
‘‘Our mission is to ensure that every child who needs a winter coat receives a new one,” said Darby.
This is the first time that 22nd Company has participated in a community project in support of Coats for Kids, and Midn. 2⁄C Michael Dobrinen wants to see midshipmen from his company come back to this and other schools for the same purpose.
‘‘The city of Annapolis takes us in; this is our home,” said Dobinen. ‘‘All the kids here and everyone in Annapolis are essentially our family, so we’re just trying to build that bond.”
Klunder, who likened Darby to Santa Claus, also stated that ‘‘the Naval Academy, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, the State of Maryland, and Annapolis Elementary are all one family.”
Led by Midn. 1⁄C Elizabeth Trujillo, 22nd Company Commander, the midshipmen also plan to conduct food drives at home and assist in the relief in Haiti.
‘‘A lot of what we’re trying to do in the Navy is humanitarian aid – giving back to the world,” said Dobrinen.
‘‘It’s a good feeling knowing that you helped put a smile on a kid’s face,” said Trujillo.
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