WIESBADEN, Germany - What do a 12-day event for the holidays and more than 3,750 hours of community service have in common'
In the U.S. Army, both are award-winning feats. In June, Maj. Gen. Reuben Jones, commander of the Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command, stopped inWiesbaden to recognize two FMWR employees with Department of the Army-level awards.
Wiesbaden FMWR marketing and events director Lisa Crews received the 2009 James A. Carroll Award for Excellence in Management in the installation-wide special event category. Army Community Service mobilization/deployment program manager Sherri Davenport received the 2009 Emma Baird Award for volunteer service.
"We're pretty proud of it because we essentially invented it," said Crews of the marketing and event team's award-winning 12 Days of Christmas program.
In the program's first year, the 12 Days of Christmas spanned activities and events across all the Wiesbaden FMWR facilities. The 2008 program had a high turnout and positive remarks from service members and their families.
"It is hard to remember an event that boasted such great remarks from its participants," Crews wrote in the program's nomination form. "Many of the families shared their thoughts with the FMWR team that this event was 'great,' 'best they had ever attended,' and finally 'please, do this again next year.'"
The brainchild of FMWR marketing's Leslie Gaylord, the 12 Days of Christmas program continued in 2009 with a second year of family fun for the holidays. Crews said she was honored to accept the management award for a program that touched so many Soldiers.
For Davenport her near 12-year history of volunteering with ACS has been about paying it forward.
"I wanted to make a positive impact on military families," said Davenport who has been employed with ACS in Wiesbaden since October 2009.
Lt. Col. Emma Marie Baird, for whom the volunteer award is named, is considered the founder of ACS. In her 24-year Army career, Baird was credited with establishing programs that addressed the growing needs of military families.
"A great debt is owed to (Baird) from all of us who work on behalf of Army families," noted a biography on the Army OneSource website.
In order to be nominated for the Emma Baird Award, volunteers must have demonstrated extraordinary dedication and sustained service to ACS through five or more years and a minimum of 3,750 volunteer hours. Earl McFarland, Wiesbaden ACS volunteer coordinator, nominated Davenport for the award.
"She was the perfect person for the award," said McFarland.
Sitting in her office at ACS, Davenport pointed toward awards that hung on her wall - most recognized her accomplishments through volunteering.
"I think a lot of people don't understand how many programs ACS offers and there's a ton of opportunities to build resumes and enhance job skills," said Davenport.
But working with Soldiers and their families is the real reason she volunteered.
"Someone has always helped us wherever we've been," said Davenport. "So I pay it forward."
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