SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- Volunteers play an integral role in the U.S. Army, but often go unrecognized for the work they do raising funds, caring for the needy, training the inexperienced and lending assistance to ensure the mission at hand is completed.
This oversight was not the case April 29, when Soldiers, families and friends gathered at the Nehelani, here, to salute the many volunteers who have served U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii over the past year.
"Each of you here tonight has truly made a difference by contributing your time and talents to building a strong community, both on and off post, and by doing so, you've improved the quality of life for our Soldiers and their families," said Howard Johnston, deputy to the garrison commander, USAG-HI, and guest speaker for the 2014 Installation Volunteer Recognition Ceremony.
"As our 2014 Installation Volunteer Recognition Week theme states, you, our Army volunteers, have changed lives and our community," Johnston told the audience. "Whether you've volunteered one hour or 700, your incredible efforts this year saved the government literally $1 million, all the while making it possible to impact hundreds of lives."
According to Johnston, nearly 850 volunteers contributed more than 70,000 volunteer hours to the Army Hawaii community in 2013 alone; however, Army Community Service (ACS) chief Brandi Stauber estimated the numbers are far greater.
"We know that there are many, many more thousands of hours out there provided by people who don't actually tell us they're volunteering," said Stauber.
"There are many (volunteers) out there who are under the radar," agreed Mary Ann Scott, project officer, ACS, DFMWR, USAG-HI.
"It's important for them to register with the Volunteer Management Information System, so they can put in their hours and be recognized appropriately," Scott advised, "and I think it's important to recognize them, because they do make a difference in the community and for the quality of life for both civilians and military families."
The ceremony honored volunteers in the following three categories:
•Hours served, ranging from one hour to 700-plus;
•Volunteer of the Year, from each respective mission support command, tenant organization and volunteering agency; and
•Volunteer winners, from eight sub-categories, including Soldier Volunteer of the Year, Youth/Young Adult Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer Ambassador of the Year and Volunteer Family of the Year, which, this year, was a Gold Star family who received a standing ovation upon the award presentation by Johnston and Command Sgt. Maj. Philip Brunwald, senior enlisted adviser, USAG-HI.
"They are the backbone to many of our programs that provide amazing services to our families, to our Soldiers, to our civilians," Stauber said. "Our community would not be as productive without our volunteers. … Some of our programs wouldn't exist, especially with the fiscal realities that we're facing.
"And," she added, "many of them do that expecting nothing back except to give to their community, and I think that's the heart of what a volunteer does -- they give back to their community without expecting anything back."
"It feels like it's my job to give back," said Christina Giovanetti, wife of Sgt. Richard Giovanetti of Company D, 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Avn. Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, and a volunteer who entered more than 700 hours of service last year with her unit's family readiness group and as a Girl Scout leader.
"It keeps me busy by giving back, and it keeps me centered," Giovanetti explained. "There's no better sense of reward than knowing that you're doing something good. The Army does so much for us to begin with. To be able to give back to that is amazing."
While volunteers have played key roles in the lives of Soldiers and families as far back as the Revolutionary War, it wasn't until ACS was established in 1965 that they were officially recognized for their contributions.
Since its inception, ACS has been a leader in supporting Army volunteers, and in September 2002, the Army Volunteer Corps (AVC) was formed to unite all volunteers who support Soldiers and families -- including the active force, National Guard and Army Reserve -- and to formalize the Army's commitment to volunteerism.
"It is so important that we thank (our volunteers) everyday, every time that they provide a service, and that we continue to let them know how important they are to sustaining the programs that we have and to make sure that they know that by giving of their time and energy. They are making a difference in the lives of people everyday," Stauber said.
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