Yokosuka NIOC Sponsors Holiday Bowling Party For Local Welfare Facility Residents
By Yoko Kato, CNFJ Public Affairs

A total of 20 Japanese children and their mothers, accompanied by welfare facility staff members visited Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka Dec. 4 to attend a holiday party sponsored by Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) First Class Association.

Since 1998, NIOC has been providing helping hands and sponsoring numerous events to the facility on a periodic basis. Currently, about 30 children reside in the facility with their mothers for various reasons; some were forced to escape from abusive fathers, others for financial reasons. Due to its nature and the children’s safety, the name of the facility can’t be disclosed.

“Since hearing about the event, the children and their mothers were looking forward to it very much,” said welfare facility senior staff member Daisuke Kawasaki. “Unfortunately, some children got sick and couldn’t make it today.

They were so upset they cried this morning. Visiting the base is something very special to them.”

Event coordination is usually time consuming and involves a lot of people. Preparation for this specific event also required a lot of time and people - preparing Christmas gifts for the children, nicely wrapping the gifts, providing food and drinks, reserving the bowling alley, reserving a van and guest paperwork for base security. The event coordinator, Information Systems Technician 1st Class Malkia Ross ensured the event went smoothly.

“They enjoyed the food and bowling together,” said Ross. “Toward the end of the game, Santa Claus showed up at the bowling alley with a bagful of toys for the children. He called each child’s name and presented the gifts one by one.”

Information Systems Technician 1st Class Chris Tognocchi, another integral member of the association had mixed feelings about this year’s event as it will be his last.

“I have been doing this for four years now,” said Tognocchi. “Since I will transfer soon, this is my last event with them. I am going to miss them a lot.”

NIOC Commanding Officer Cmdr. Niels F. Mateo praised the voluntary involvement NIOC personnel have established throughout the prefecture this year.

“I am extremely proud of NIOC and especially of the relationship between our First Class Association and this facility,” said Mateo.

“Interacting and sharing with local communities continues to be one of the most important aspects the U.S. Navy life in Japan and NIOC looks forward to our continued relationship in 2011.”