The holidays are a time for giving and our Keelhauler community is making a positive impact through service and building connections to the world ‒ and the communities in our own backyard.

The Office of Community Engagement recently hosted a holiday service project in partnership with Rebuilding Together Solano County, a housing nonprofit organization. The service event took place at nearby Carquinez Highlands, the small community located adjacent to the Physical Education and Aquatic Center (PEAC), with which Community Engagement staff has been connected to since the spring of 2013. 

 

CLD RTSC Partnership Photo 2

 

Rebuilding Together thanked Cal Maritime's Cadet Leadership & Development (CLD) staff for giving their time and energy to deliver food to more than 100 households living at Vallejo Carquinez Mobile Home Park.

“Thank you for your efforts in providing the low-income veteran, senior, and disabled residents of Carquinez Highland Mobile Home Park with food for the holidays,” said Elizabeth Hoffman, executive director of Rebuilding Together Solano County. “We look forward to our next volunteer event with Cal Maritime Academy.”

In total, more than 7,000 pounds of food was delivered to 100 households, including deli, dairy, bakery, and non-perishable food items, and fresh produce such as fruit, yams, onions, fruit, Brussels sprouts, dates, and squash.

CLD Vice President Kathleen McMahon intends to host a service project every semester to “practice what we preach,” and have staff engaging in service to our local community, as is expected of cadets.

"Overall, this project is part of our efforts to create a campus-wide culture of community engagement, care for our local community, and engagement in activities that benefit the greater good," said Community Engagement Program Specialist JoEllen Myslik. 

Community Engagement’s mission is to collaborate with community and university partners to facilitate opportunities for cadets to develop as leaders and inspire them to make a positive impact through connections and involvement in the world around them.

Special thanks to:

  • JoEllen Myslik (for coordinating this project)
  • Vineeta Dhillon (Cal Maritime RTSC Board Member since 2016)
  • Vallejo Community Presbyterian Church (for food pantry storage and building use)
  • RTSC Volunteers who transported and prepared for workdays

 

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ABOUT CAL MARITIME
Established in 1929, California State University Maritime Academy is the only degree-granting maritime academy on the West Coast. Located in Vallejo, California, the campus serves nearly 1,000 students and offers undergraduate degrees preparing students for careers in engineering, transportation, international relations, business, and global logistics. The new oceanography degree program launched in the fall of 2020. Cal Maritime also offers a master’s degree in Transportation and Engineering Management, as well as a number of extended learning programs and courses.