Military Guests In Town For Sailabration Volunteer To Help Local Neighborhoods

BALTIMORE (WJZ ) -- Amidst all the hoopla surrounding the Sailabration, some of those who are Baltimore's guests fanned out to help in some Baltimore neighborhoods.

Mike Schuh reports.

Away from all the festivities, and far from the crowds, military visitors came to help our city.

"We have over 700 sailors and Marines who are working on public relations projects that we have been working hard to develop," said Jeff Buchheit, from the Baltimore National Heritage.

Sailors like James Kerrick are volunteering at Living Classrooms.

"We want to help and serve people in any way we can. And what better way than to help a program that helps kids," said Kerrick.

It's Operation Scrape and Paint.

"We're all in town -- Navy, Air Force and some cadets -- and we're here to help," said Emenski Nelson, USS San Antonio.

Fifty military volunteers equal thousands of dollars worth of work all done for free.

"The reception between the students and sailors is absolutely fantastic.  Our kids see these tall ships as magic.  Most of our kids are in middle school. The amazing thing always is the servicemen and women and how kind they are, and willing to befriend our kids is something we are grateful for," said Scott Raymond, Living Classrooms Vice President.

Besides Living Classrooms, the military has scheduled volunteer projects in other areas of the city.