Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Sailors and their families received 100 emergency kits from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary group as part of Project Prepare Program, Feb. 12.

“The mission of the Project Prepare program addresses a vital global issue, personal disaster preparedness,” said Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Darin R. Hand, NAS Whidbey Island command master chief. He explained natural disasters such as hurricane Katrina, the tsunamis in Asia and the earthquake in Haiti illustrate the importance of being personally prepared.

The kits were donated by 10-year-old Joshua Hawkins through the program. Project Prepare collaborates with corporations to provide 72 hours of basic essentials in emergency preparedness kits for the families of active duty service members lacking financial resources to provide this level of preparedness themselves.

“Ninety percent of people surveyed report a heightened awareness of the need for personal preparedness,” said Diane Small, senior vice president of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Washington State department.

Her presentation explained the importance of emergency preparedness, the Project Prepare program and other disaster preparedness programs available such as Map Your Neighborhood and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program.

According to Small, after finding out about the project, Hawkins wanted to help through a fund raising campaign.

“Joshua is 10 years old and is a descendent from a long line of military service. He has earned every badge and award available through the Cub Scouts, including the highest award attainable which less than one percent of cub scouts ever accomplish; the Arrow of Light.”

“This past September I saw a picture of Diane Small giving away preparedness kits provided by Frank Been and the Puyallup Tribe and this gave me the idea to try and do it myself,” said Hawkins. “I’ve saluted the flag many times, but I wanted to do something myself for those protecting my freedom now. Providing protection to the families of our nation’s heroes that are protecting us today seemed like a good place to start.”

The Lady’s Auxiliary presented Hand with an emergency preparedness kit to commemorate the event, and he presented Hawkins with the Arrow of Light Badge.