Kadena's Okinawa Outreach tackles tough volunteer project

  • Published
  • By Tim Flack
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Volunteers with Okinawa Outreach pride themselves on their hard work and on the fact that no challenge is too big.

The volunteers definitely surprised the man who lined up a recent project for them during a two-hour visit to an elderly care facility in Okinawa City May 30.  Katsuhiko Yamashiro, facility manager at Care-house Hibiscus, said he was amazed at how quickly the 10 volunteers plowed through the manual labor, cleaning foliage, cutting grass, pulling weeds and stuffing garbage bags.

When Yamashiro said that it would be nice if the team could tackle cutting down a 15-foot banana tree during a future visit when they had better tools for the job, the volunteers just laughed. Using small hand-saws, brute strength and a pick, they made quick work of the old tree.

"I was impressed that the volunteers were so happy and smiling while doing such demanding manual labor," Yamashiro said. "It was also heartwarming to see family members involved in that effort."

Okinawa Outreach, a committee belonging to Kadena Air Base's Top 3 organization, was formed to provide opportunities for Team Kadena involvement in the Okinawan community.

Master Sgt. Steven Whitley, a Top 3 member who organized the May 30 volunteer efforts, said people like to be involved for a variety of reasons.

Whitley said, "Some come because of how it makes them feel ... the sense of giving back to a community that welcomed them.  Others come out to help serve a cause, whether it's working with children or providing food for the needy. 

"Most of all though, it's what our Airmen, sailors, and soldiers are accustomed to. We give our time and effort to things we care about and that reach is long," Whitley said.  "We are here for the betterment of our communities."

Whitley said Okinawa Outreach volunteers provide a huge benefit to the off-base organizations they work with.

"Okinawa Outreach always comes out in force and tackles projects and tasks that may take months to finish otherwise," he said.

Yamashiro agreed, saying the May 30 project was a perfect example of that.

"The area where volunteers cleared this time was an area we can rarely touch normally because of our time restraints and limited manpower," Yamashiro said.

Whitley also stressed the volunteers take a lot away from working with local communities.

"They get to see, talk to, work with, and interact with local groups and communities that they might not otherwise," Whitley said.  "You get a better appreciation for being in Japan.  On top of that you get to build connections and friendships that will last well beyond the time you leave Japan."

Whitley said that Okinawa Outreach offers plenty of volunteer opportunities for all members of the community. He said those wishing to participate can visit https://www.facebook.com/OkinawaOutreach.

"I encourage everyone who wants to a part of the local community to 'reach' out and get involved," he said. "We literally have something for everyone."