VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — MaryEllen Baldwin and the Navy League of Hampton Roads are dedicated to boosting the morale of military members and their families.
This week, we’re recognizing organizations as part of our Military Support Spotlight. These are people going above and beyond to serve veterans in Hampton Roads.
“We have been in Hampton Roads for a little over 70 years,” said Baldwin, the Navy League’s CEO.
They may not be a household name, but the Navy League of Hampton Roads is certainly known to military members and their families, and Baldwin says that’s what matters to them.
“The Navy knows. The Coast Guard knows. The Marines know we are here,” said Baldwin. “You’d be surprised how many things that we get called upon that will never get any notice.”
The Navy League works hard to support active duty personnel and their loved ones. Their work includes helping to improve the quality of life for Navy sailors when they are out at sea.
"Our tax dollars fund incredible warships,” said Baldwin. “There's no question about it. But what we put into the ships are areas on board that improve the quality of life."
With the money they raise the group pays for ship enhancements including barbershops, libraries, and tribute rooms.
Bre Kingsbury, the Navy League’s director of development, says something as simple as a coffee shop can change a sailor's experience.
"We take it for granted because we can go to Starbucks, [but] when you are in the middle of the Mediterranean, they don't have the opportunity to do that,” she said. “So being able to take a break and get a cup of coffee downstairs, you know, that's just a little piece of home that we are able to give them."
Perhaps the Navy League's biggest task is sponsoring and supporting the commissioning of new vessels. The organization has played a vital role in dozens of commissionings and they are now busy planning the ceremony for the future USS John F. Kennedy, scheduled for 2025.
All of these tasks take a lot of work and money, and 13News Now wanted to help by surprising Baldwin with a check for $1,000.
Baldwin's been doing this job for nearly 25 years, and she still brings the same passion and energy as when she first started.
When asked what keeps her going, she doesn’t hesitate.
"It's really pretty simple,” she said. “It's the people. It's the people that we get a chance to meet.”