Mayport Reloads Project Handclasp Supplies

Project Handclasp's distribution depot in Mayport reloaded with boxes of donated toys, medical supplies, and hygiene items Aug. 11.

The San Diego-based donation organization Project Handclap is a worldwide humanitarian and goodwill program that collects donations from various private-sector organizations and companies, then has U.S. military members deliver the material to people in need overseas. Mayport's depot was established in November 2007 when a civilian trucking company volunteered two drivers and trucks to transport 88 pallets cross-country free of charge. This provided U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/ U.S. Fourth Fleet (NAVSO/ 4th Fleet) the means to load the supplies directly onto ships from Mayport deploying to Latin America. The items are delivered during Community Relations (COMREL) Projects to places such as schools, medical clinics, and orphanages in the Caribbean, Central and South America.

"Project Handclasp allowing us to store donations here at Mayport is making a big difference in our ability to help people in need," said Cmdr. Lewis Preddy, NAVSO/4th Fleet Project Handclasp Coordinator. "We're now able to load more Project Handclasp material onto ships, which means Sailors have more material to help more people in our partner nations, which is the essence of the program."

Mayport's Project Handclasp depot is located in a warehouse belonging to Commander, Task Force 43, NAVSO/4th Fleet's logistics support command. NAVSO/4th Fleet, the naval component command of U.S. Southern Command, oversees maritime operations throughout Latin America, including exercises, provides counter-illicit trafficking support, and conducts theater security cooperation events including COMREL projects.