Soap, socks and shirts are a few of the personal items that are being sent ashore to the disaster stricken people of Banda Aceh courtesy of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) officers and crew.

“Our corpsman, who have the most interaction with the Indonesians, discovered that they were in need of personal items,” said Senior Chief Religious Programs (SW/FMF) Richard Metz, Lincoln Relief Supplies Collection Coordinator. 

Before spearheading the effort for a collection drive, Metz was careful to do his research to ensure the Indonesian people would not be offended by the gesture.

“I didn’t know if donating clothing was the right thing to do culturally,” said Metz.

Although literature he researched suggested that the Indonesian typically wear sarongs, he also learned that the style of dress along the coastline is similar to American styles.

“They wear a lot of shorts and T-shirts so they really don’t dress much differently than we do,” Metz noted. 

Although styles may be similar, Metz is quick to point out that there are some guidelines for clothing donations.

“Donated clothing cannot be marked with religious symbols, vulgar sayings or pictures, musical groups, television shows or movies, sayings or pictures that portray violence, or any other marking that advertises American pop culture or subcultures,” Metz said.

Acceptable logos on clothes include names or pictures of places, names of educational institutions, names or pictures of sports team.

“Places you’ve visited are okay on a T-shirt. I don’t think a state of Ohio logo would be offensive. Sports teams are okay too.  nd I’m sure the Indonesians would appreciate a shirt with a USS Abraham Lincoln logo on it,” Metz said.

A variety of clothing is needed including T-shirts, polo shirts, dress shirts, sweat shirts, shorts, pants, socks and shoes. Metz added that small and medium sizes are preferred but large sizes will also be accepted.

Besides clothing, Metz is also soliciting personal hygiene items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, deodorant and disposable razors.  Towels and washcloths are also being collected.

To help consolidate the effort, Metz has asked various organizations onboard to head-up the collection. 

“Anything we can do big or small makes me feel good to help,” said Yeoman First Class Dean Landerth who’s leading the clothing and hygiene product drive for VFA-151. “It’s good to help people who’ve lost everything.”

With only a small percentage of the crew going ashore to assist with the humanitarian mission, collecting clothes is a way to help from afar.

“I can’t go ashore. This is my way of contributing,” said Cryptologic Technician Technical Third Class Joseph DeStefano, the Commander Carrier Strike Group 9 clothing drive representative.  “I think everybody in the world should do something for this natural disaster.”

For someone who has gone ashore, the motivation to collect items on the ship is important.

“Since I have kids, I feel more a part of the effort because I can’t describe how it feels to give food to a hungry child,” said Religious Programs Specialist Third Class Joseph Calderon, a father of two. “Some of these people have lost everyone and everything. I can’t imagine how it would feel to have my family wiped off the face of the earth in minutes.”

The collection effort that began Monday is off to a strong start. Metz said about one and one-half tri-wall containers have been filled.

“It’s amazing what’s already been collected. One of the females went thru berthing with a big mailbag and walked around like she was trick-or-treating.  She filled it up in no time at all,” Metz said.

Metz said the donated clothing and other items would give the Indonesians something to remember once the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group departs.

“It will show them that Americans are generous. When you give a piece of clothing it’s like giving them a piece of America,” Metz said.