HONG KONG (NNS) — Sailors assigned to submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) and Los Angeles-class submarine USS Hampton (SSN 767), performed community outreach projects at the Li Shiu Chung Memorial Rehabilitation Centre and Hong Chi Farmstead May 17-18.

"The Frank Cable goes into foreign ports, and doing [community outreach] projects gives the Sailors opportunities to impact other people and other cultures," said Lt. Alan Fleming, a Navy chaplain. "That is a big part of what the Navy does."

Sailors spent hours painting a classroom, passageways and cylindrical bases at the center, which caters to the physically and mentally handicapped.

"The people here are dependent upon these ladies and the men who work here," said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Dawn Atkinson. "If we can help them out in any way so they can spend more time training them and giving them the life skills they need, that's a pretty good deal."

Hong Chi Farmstead serves those with intellectual disabilities. Frank Cable and Hampton Sailors came together at that facility to work on their lawns.

The religious ministries department on board Frank Cable worked with Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Ozric Martinez to coordinate the projects. Martinez works as a liaison coordinating community outreach projects for ships visiting Hong Kong.

"Most of the agencies that I have coordinated projects with haven't dealt with Sailors before so for them it is a new experience," said Martinez. "They become overwhelmed with excitement when they hear the Sailors are coming and they are very appreciative."

"Seeing how appreciative the people were made me feel so proud," said Wilson. "It always feels good to lend a helping hand."

"The gratitude that is expressed to us is pretty humbling," said Fleming. "These projects are small contributions that we make that are appreciated in big ways."

For more news from USS Frank Cable (AS 40), visit www.navy.mil/local/as40/.