04/23/2020|Inside Verizon

A special delivery for our sailors.

By: Dave Boerger
Communications Strategist/Writer

V Teamer Todd Neff and his family send masks and encouragement to the USS Roosevelt.

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For Todd Neff, a Business Account Manager from Santa Cruz, CA, US Navy sailors are never far from his thoughts.

That’s because Todd’s daughter Naomi is serving as Master of Arms on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, currently stationed in Guam for quarantine due to COVID-19. The ship, first launched in 1984, is a Nimitz-class nuclear powered aircraft carrier and was reported to be the first ship in the U.S. Navy to have a COVID-19 outbreak while at sea. As of April 21, over 700 sailors on the ship have tested positive for the virus.

Naomi recently mentioned to her parents that some sailors don’t receive anything at mail call, and Todd wondered if something could be done. “I asked if we could write a couple extra letters for those folks who aren’t getting any mail and she said that would be great,” said Todd.

In one weekend, Todd and his family and friends completed and mailed 65 letters. In addition, his wife Kindra started sewing masks for sailors. “We’re at about 85 masks now and just received a bunch of material and elastic to make more,” reported Todd.

Meanwhile, Todd reached out to others in his community and the offers of help have been flooding in. “The support I’m getting is overwhelming. There are so many people saying they’ll get involved and get their kids involved writing letters to send those off and say thank you to these people who are serving us.”

About the author:

Dave Boerger is a part of the Verizon Corporate Communications team and a regular contributor to Up To Speed. He's a recovering marketer and sitcom writer.

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