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Oceana Galley Appreciates AbilityOne Employees
[December 04, 2012]

Oceana Galley Appreciates AbilityOne Employees


Dec 04, 2012 (DEFENSE DEPARTMENT DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- Story Number: NNS121204-13 Release Date: 12/4/2012 By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class LaCordrick Wilson, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- The luncheon is held every year to show appreciation for civilian contractors with unique disabilities.



The AbilityOne program is a federal initiative to help people who are blind or have other significant disabilities find employment by working within a national network of more than 600 nonprofit agencies that sell products and services to the U.S. government.

"These employees have all had some challenges in their life and working here is therapeutic for them," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Thomas Cummings, food service officer for NAS Oceana. "My staff and I really love this event because it helps us get an understanding of what the program is all about." Shortly after lunch, the families of Chesapeake Service Systems (CSS) employees expressed their feelings about their children being able to work at Oceana's galley thanks to CSS.


"Being a part of this event really makes me feel appreciated," said Ronald Saunders Jr., an AbilityOne employee. "Having the CO, XO, and CMC show up makes me appreciate the opportunity to work here even more." CSS is a private nonprofit agency that adopted the federal government's AbilityOne program and its mission states that its focus is "to provide work opportunities in an environment that will stimulate development and improve the health and quality of life of people with developmental disabilities." The luncheon concluded with senior leaders giving a personal thanks to the AbilityOne employees.

"It is important for us to take this time and recognize some great people on whom we rely to provide a customer service to the Sailors and Marines who work and live on this base," said Capt. Kit Chope, executive officer of NAS Oceana.

"Leadership should never be too busy to take time and appreciate the people who work for them."

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