Navy Federal Credit Union Provides Holiday Meals for U.S. Coast Guard Watch Standers in Clearwater, FL
While the people surrounding Tampa Bay relax during the holidays; recreating on the water or spending time with family and friends, enjoying holiday traditions, food, and companionship, Coast Guard men and women at Air Station Clearwater in Florida stand watch, awaiting calls for help in an emergency.
Lieutenant Julia Gavin coordinates holiday meals for watch standers at Air Station Clearwater, and she offered some perspective on the need for the Coast Guard's constant vigilance.
“The most important thing is that we’re out there helping in the community and providing rescue when recreational plans go awry,” Lieutenant Gavin explains. “People get a little more time off during the holidays and, with us being down in Florida, for many that means getting some extra time out on the water. We just want to make sure we’re ready in case they need our help.”
On average, Air Station Clearwater sees around two to three rescues on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year each; making the holidays especially busy for the Coast Guard.
One of the most remarkable things about service-minded communities is how they show up for their members.
A Central Florida branch of Navy Federal Credit Union has stepped up to bring a taste of the holidays to Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater. Maria Adamfi-Quevedo, NFCU North Clearwater branch manager, serves as the point of contact between the Coast Guard Foundation and the credit union.
“When somebody from the Foundation reaches out,” Maria shares, “in this case, Brian Overcast, he reaches out with the need, and then I work with him to coordinate the support on our end to make sure that it happens.”
Since 2017, Navy Federal Credit Union’s North Clearwater branch has been bringing fresh, hot meals to Air Station Clearwater’s watch standers.
“We had a teammate whose spouse was in the Coast Guard. We made the connection through her, and that's how it all got started. We've been partnering with the Coast Guard Foundation since then.”
The Coast Guard's efforts to safeguard their community doesn’t go unnoticed.
“The Coast Guard is a 24/7, 365 endeavor,” Maria said. “They're there to ensure that the citizens of our nation can be rescued at any moment. They do not get any breaks or days off from their mission, and a lot of that means time away from family. So, this initiative helps get a warm meal ready for them that they can share with their crewmates.”
Supporters like Maria understand the impact that the Coast Guard has on local safety and empathize deeply with the demands of a military lifestyle. More than anything, she understands how crucial it is to share the simple joys of life to form an uplifting sense of community.
The Coast Guard has long been an integral part of communities across the U.S. and its territories, but it’s the response from the communities that they protect that makes clear how strong that bond truly is.
Title image: A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew flies behind U.S. Coast Guard Station Sand Key boat crews during training in Sand Key, Florida. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
