scope:

Purpose.

To reissue policy concerning Project Handclasp (PH), an official U.S. Navy program which coordinates transportation and delivery of humanitarian, educational, and goodwill material donated to the Project Handclasp Foundation, Inc., (Foundation) by corporations, charitable and public service organizations, and private citizens throughout the United States for distribution to needy recipients in foreign countries.

Background and Scope

a. Since the inception of Project Handclasp in 1959, distribution of humanitarian, educational, and goodwill material to disadvantaged people in foreign countries has greatly enhanced perceptions of the United States and the U.S. Navy. Through direct person-to-person contact in the conduct of community relations endeavors, Project Handclasp plays a vital role in enabling the Navy to carry out its mission of fostering peace and goodwill by promoting international friendship and trust. It has simultaneously allowed U.S. Navy personnel to gain insight and appreciation of diverse cultures and quality of life of people of other nations.

b. The primary purpose of Project Handclasp is to receive, collect, consolidate and store humanitarian, educational, and goodwill material for transportation on naval vessels and distribution by U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel on behalf of American citizens to needy people overseas. As a secondary purpose, Project Handclasp may accept and arrange spaceavailable transportation of consigned material from organizations or individuals who desire transportation to specified recipient organizations overseas. The types of material considered appropriate for distribution through Project Handclasp include:

(1) Material to supplement basic necessities; e.g., food, clothing, treadle sewing machines and accessories, medical equipment and supplies, hygienic items, hand tools, and light building material.

(2) Educational material; e.g., textbooks, library books, magazines, school supplies, learning aids, and audiovisual items.

(3) Recreational material for children; e.g., toys, athletic equipment, and playground equipment.

(4) Overseas port visit mementos: e.g., souvenirs and mementos of shipboard visits.

c. Project Handclasp Foundation, Inc. supports Project Handclasp by taking legal title to all donations intended for distribution to needy people by Project Handclasp. Donations collected by Project Handclasp do not become property of the U.S. Navy, but are transported and distributed to needy people per this instruction. The Foundation provides the appropriate vehicle for accepting donations from the private sector. The Foundation supports the objectives and functions of Director, Project Handclasp (DPH), who is the Navy official responsible for this Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) enterprise.