Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, operating out of Seattle, Washington, visited Puerto Vallarta last week for a bit of R&R, but also found time to send a work party of 10 sailors to finish the total overhaul of a Kinder Care in Ixtapa.

This school, the Jardin de Ninos "Luis Medina Casillas," has been a perennial recipient of Toys for Tots distributed by the Navy League each Christmas season. For the past 6 months volunteers from the Navy League, American Legion, visiting ships and other community volunteers have put in countless hours totally rehabilitating this school, including painting, resealing roofs, repairing deteriorating electrical wiring, landscaping, rebuilding a playground, and improving the safety of the kids when entering elevated classrooms. A dedication of this major project took place immediately following the Midgett's finishing touches.

While in port for four days, the Midgett also hosted a ship tour for Navy Leaguers and attended a party for Officers and Chiefs at Murphy's Irish Pub on the Malecón in downtown Puerto Vallarta. At this Navy League-sponsored party, the ship's Captain presented the Navy League with a framed, signed photo of the Midgett, and VIP Magazine presented Certificates of Appreciation to three Navy Leaguers who were instrumental in completing the Kinder Care Project.

The Cutter Midgett is one of the largest ships in the Coast Guard fleet. It's a "Heavy" Cutter, 378 ft in length, weighs 3,300 tons and has a crew of 162 men and women. During the ship tour, lucky Navy Leaguers got a chance to view its armament, helo deck, bridge and living spaces. Quite impressive to say the least.

If you'd like to participate in future ship visits, or engage in community improvement projects including Toys for Tots, we encourage you to join the Navy League and/or American Legion. Both organizations have no requirement for previous military service and accept all nationalities, male and female.

Annual membership costs are nominal. You'll enjoy not only the hosting of visiting ships and mariners, but active social programs and opportunities to assist the community through programs such as Toys for Tots and school rehabilitations.

For more information, visit our booth at this month's Altruism Festival, or contact Jerry Lafferty of the Navy League at laffja(at)aol.com, or Dennis Rike of the American Legion at dennis2rike(at)hotmail.com.