Fort Jackson volunteers are honored in the second-quarter Helping Hands ceremony Tuesday at the Joe E. Mann Center. As part of the post's celebration of National Volunteer Week, Fort Jackson's volunteers of the year will be named 10 a.m. Friday in a ...

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- This week is National Volunteer Week. The Fort Jackson Army Volunteer Corps consists of men, women, children and families who offer their time and talents to help those in need or ensure that events for military families and civilians go according to plan.

The Fort Jackson community will recognize its volunteers of the year for their efforts in a ceremony 10 a.m., Friday at the Solomon Center The award categories include Youth Volunteer of the Year, Active Duty Military Volunteer of the Year, Retiree Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer Hall of Fame and Family Member/Civilian Volunteer of the Year.

Winners in each category will be selected by an independent panel of five members from the Columbia community. Volunteers are nominated from various post organizations and units. Although organizations such as the Army Volunteer Corps depend solely on the efforts of volunteers, those who volunteer benefit from offering their services as well, said Marilynn Bailey, Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator.

"If you are looking to get a job and can find a volunteer position that will allow you to network and enhance skills, it is a win-win situation for the organization and you," Bailey said.

She said she was looking forward to Friday's ceremony.

"I encourage the entire community to come out and support these outstanding nominees. We have some wonderful people who have done some great things for Columbia and Fort Jackson, and I am truly excited," Bailey said.

Volunteers must have been with an organization for one year or longer before being nominated for the award and have excelled beyond the standard expectations for volunteers in the organization.