Coast Guard Gives Back: Volunteers Make The Difference!

Story by PA1 Tasha Tully, PADET St. Petersburg, Fla.
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Volunteering is an act of heroism on a grand scale. And it matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds; it changes the odds.

- former President Bill Clinton

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Once a week, once a month, or once a year...even a little kindness goes a long way.  Just ask any of Sector St. Petersburg's 12, Partnership in Education (PIE) volunteers.

"I enjoy volunteering with PIE for several reasons," said Petty Officer 1st Class Ronnie
 

CLEARWATER, Fla.- Travis Tacker, a group leader from South Eastern Guidedogs, Inc., instructs volunteer puppy raisers on where to walk their dogs inside Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater's C-130 hangar.  The dogs were invited on the Coast Guard base where they were able to become familiar with the smells of fuels and oils, people in uniform and the layout of an airplane.  Coast Guard photograph by PA2 Leslie Delozier, USCGR.

Mason, a watchstander in Sector St. Petersburg's command center. "Mainly because of the noticeable benefits the children get out of it, but also because it is fulfilling to me when they learn something new or get better grades."

Mason and the other volunteers devote at least one hour each week to support PIE, a national program where Coast Guard men and women mentor children at local elementary schools.

"The program is designed to assist children in many different ways," said Lt. Heather Osburn, Sector St. Petersburg's PIE coordinator. "Some kids need mentors who can help them socially, educationally, or even emotionally, and we try to match the kids with a volunteer who suits their needs."

Sometimes the mentor's impact can be difficult to determine, but not in Lt.j.g. Lenell Carson's case.  Carson mentored fifth-grader Lizzy St. Cyr, from Sexton Elementary School in St. Petersburg, Fla., and the pair worked so well together that the 11-year-old's reading skills dramatically increased.  So much, in fact, that Lizzy won an award for reading the most books between January and April.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - EM2 Christopher Matthews gives the PIE kids from Sexton Elementary School in St. Petersburg, Fla., a tour of the CGC Joshua Appleby during a field trip.  Coast Guard photograph by Sector St. Petersburg.

"She made such positive strides that she and her mother asked if I could be her mentor next year," Carson said of her pupil. "It feels great to know that I was able to make a difference to her."

However, you don't have to give time to school children to make a difference.  Volunteering at a local hospital, nursing home or church can help change lives as well.

Take, for instance, a recent event held at Air Station Clearwater where nearly 20 Coast Guard volunteers gave only an hour of their time to help train puppies from Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. (SEGDI), in Palmetto, Fla., a non-profit organization that breeds and trains working dogs for the visually impaired.

The puppies, ranging from a few months to two-years old, and their handlers were brought on base to allow the puppies to explore and experience different environments within the air station. 

For example, the puppies were guided up the stairs of a C-130 Hercules search plane and allowed to sniff the different kinds of oils and fuels within the aircraft, as well as to feel the metal surfaces on their paws.  The aircraft's seats were set in rows beside the plane, allowing the puppies to walk through the aisles and sit next to their handler as if they were on a real plane.

"We're thrilled that the Coast Guard has opened its doors to us," said Ann Marie
 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Children involved in the Partnership in Education (PIE) program from Sexton Elementary School in St. Petersburg, Fla., visit the Coast Guard Cutter Joshua Appleby during a field trip.  Coast Guard photograph by Sector St. Petersburg.

Connor, a volunteer Suncoast Puppy Raiser for SEGDI. "Many airlines don't allow dogs, so it can be difficult to train them on how to act in an airplane.  This training will be so important for their future owners."

A similar event took place with the same group of guide dogs at Sector St. Petersburg's North Moorings where the Coast Guard Cutter Kodiak Island allowed the dogs on board to feel the non-skid surface of the vessel on their paws.  The dogs were able to feel the pitch of the vessel and smell the oils and fuels onboard the ship. Many of the dogs found the environment challenging.  Several had to be tugged, coaxed or carried across the brow, perhaps because of the way the metal grating felt on their paws or the way the brow swayed with the pitching of the boat.

"Just like how the Coast Guard trains its members to handle different situations, that's how we have to train these puppies," said Travis Tacker, Suncoast Puppy Raisers Group Leader (south) for SEGDI.  "The better the dog understands his or her

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg and the Coast Guard Cutter Kodiak Island assisted about 25 puppies and their handlers on board the cutter's decks from 7-8 p.m., March 28 to let the puppies feel the non-skid surface on their paws.  The group is from Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc., a local non-profit organization located in Palmetto, Fla.  The puppies were also able to experience the rocking of a vessel in the water, people in uniform and different smells on board a ship.  This exposure helps the dogs to become accustomed to different environments which better prepares them for their jobs as working guide dogs.  This is the first time Sector St. Petersburg has volunteered to assist with training guide dogs. Coast Guard photograph by PA1 Tasha Tully.

surroundings, the better they react."The dogs that, either for temperament or medical reasons, cannot meet the stringent requirements of a guide dog are trained to become companions for the elderly, infirm and injured. They are also trained to assist law enforcement agencies, and they may become therapy dogs for autistic and/or mentally disabled children and adults.

"Some part of me feels obligated to serve my community," said Petty Officer 1st Class Kathryn Warnecke, a radio watchstander at Sector St. Petersburg and volunteer for the guide dog event.  "I don't always have the time to volunteer, so when an opportunity presents itself, I try to do what I can."

Although each member of the U.S. Coast Guard volunteers each day to protect his or her country, surely some can do more.  If only once a week, once a month, or once a year...even a little kindness goes a long way.

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