USAG Schweinfurt to recognize volunteer hall of famers

By Mrs. Margaret Gotheridge (USAREUR)April 15, 2013

Schweinfurt volunteers
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SCHWEINFURT, Germany (April 15, 2013) -- The Schweinfurt Army Volunteer Corps expresses its appreciation to the hundreds of volunteers here at its annual Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony April 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ledward Activity Center.

There are more than 300 registered volunteers in the Schweinfurt community who recorded 60,350 volunteer hours in 2012, said David Blakeman, Schweinfurt's Army Volunteer Corps program manager.

Schweinfurt's workforce continues to shrink as a result of the garrison's scheduled closure, creating a gap in services provided by garrison staff. But volunteers are filling those gaps to help maintain high levels of service and quality of life for Schweinfurt's thousands of Soldiers and families.

"Volunteers help augment the workforce," said Blakeman. "It allows people to work on projects they would not be able to work on and it helps alleviate the pressure from a decreasing workforce."

The ceremony will recognize all of the volunteers in the Schweinfurt community and their achievements. The event also highlights 30 individuals as Volunteers of the Year. The Volunteers of the Year were selected from their organizations by their peers and their leadership.

These volunteers are regarded as champions of the community and will be appropriately recognized as "Champions in the Hall of Fame," the theme of the event. To cheer on these volunteers, community members will be given a 'Rally Towel' as they enter the event.

"As a community it is important for us to see these volunteers as an inspiration to all of us," said Blakeman. "It is also an opportunity for us to show our appreciation for their services."

If you are interested in becoming an active participant in the Schweinfurt community and would like to volunteer, call Schweinfurt's Army Volunteer Corps at DSN 354-6933 or 09721-96-6933.