SUBIC BAY, Philippines -- USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) Chaplain Andrew Wade presents a box of Project Handclasp items to the director and children of a home for abused and abandoned children in Olongapo City, Republic of the Philippines.  (U.S. Navy photo)

SUBIC BAY, Philippines -- USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) visited here recently to rest from a rigorous training cycle and share some good will with local residents. The ship moored at the former U.S. Navy base that once housed a large portion of the more than 25,000 Sailors and soldiers stationed in the area. As the ship moored, stories from older Sailors circulated about Subic Bay, while newer Sailors looked forward to finding out what the talk was all about. 

New Sailors soon discovered the natural beauty of Subic Bay, including the scenic mountains and deep blue ocean as well as many recreational activities including a marina, go-kart track, stables and movie theatre. 

Despite the natural beauty and variety of recreational facilities, a walk over the famous main gate bridge into town revealed the harsh realties of desperate living conditions in the area. Subic Bay and neighboring Olongapo City house more than 220,000 residents with an average monthly salary of $160.00. Therefore, one of the priorities of the port visit was to organize community service projects.

As in many other ports, Chancellorsville Sailors welcomed the opportunity to lend a hand in Subic Bay. Previous community service programs have been so popular and well attended that the ship received the Chief of Naval Operation’s 2001 "Project Good Neighbor Award" for medium sized overseas commands. 
"Everyone works hard with lots of enthusiasm," said Chaplain Andrew Wade, Chancellorsville’s community service coordinator. “They are really anxious to help out and love interacting with the local people.”
In the past year, more than 120 Chancellorsville Sailors have supported community relations projects in seven different countries.

Wade organized three days of projects, which also included a Project Handclasp toy and clothing distribution at a local home for abused and abandoned children and a repair project at a school for gifted children. The Project Handclasp Program provides toys, clothing, toiletries, books, sewing machines and other miscellaneous items donated by American corporations and individuals for U.S. Navy distribution by Sailors overseas. 
Bright, smiling faces greeted volunteers at the Olongapo City Social Development Center as Sailors brought in Project Handclasp supplies. The Sailors distributed the toys and clothing and spent time playing games with the children afterward. 

"It was a great time. I loved watching the kids smile as they played with the toys; and I'm looking forward to doing this again," said Postal Clerk 2nd Class (SW) John Mastandrea of Sunrise, Calif. 

Sailors also spent two days repairing roofs, painting classrooms and performing other minor repairs at the Special Education Center for the Gifted in Kalayaan. Several curious monkeys watched from nearby trees while Sailors spent two days painting and making repairs. 

"The school needed lots of work and we accomplished a great deal. But there is still much to do," said Gunner's Mate 1st Class (SW) Alonzo Tate a Memphis, Tenn., native. 

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