Sailors from the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) volunteered for a community relations (COMREL) project at the Hong Chi Association for the intellectually handicapped during their goodwill port visit June 18.

COMREL's allow George Washington Sailors the opportunity to give back to local communities and to learn about the host nation's culture on a personal level.

"It was awesome to to be able to spend time with the residents from the Hong Chi Association," said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Desmond Stone, from Roanoke, Virginia. "The highlight of the visit was to see everyone come together as a team and build relationships with our friends in Hong Kong."

According to Stone, George Washington Sailors were happy to volunteer, both as a way to help the association and to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Hong Kong.

"We spent most of the afternoon painting planter boxes with residents, but the best part was just seeing how happy everyone was to have us there," said Stone. "Volunteering really allows us to connect with the locals and gives us a rare interaction with the community."

The Hong Chi Association welcomes opportunities like these to give Sailors a chance to spend time with residents and get to know them on a more personal level.

"It means a lot to us for Sailors to take time out of their day to interact with the people who live here," said Maggie Chu, a Hong Chi Association staff member. "The residents were appreciative and greatful. It's small things like this that make all the difference"

The Hong Chi Associaton is a non-profit organization in Hong Kong dedicated to serving 7,000 people of all ages and all grades of intellectual disabilities and their families.

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.