Garrison celebrates its Volunteers of the Year

By Karl Weisel (IMCOM)May 6, 2014

Garrison celebrates its Volunteers of the Year
Col. David Carstens stands with some of the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden's individual Volunteers of the Year nominees and Earl McFarland (right), volunteer coordinator during Wiesbaden's Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon in the Community Activity Cente... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WIESBADEN, Germany - It's no exaggeration to say that volunteers are the lifeblood of a community. Without their contributions, dedication and selfless service, the Wiesbaden military community would be a much different place.

"Through countless acts of kindness, generosity and service, Americans recognize that we are all bound together -- that we move this country forward by giving of ourselves to others and caring for those around us," declared President Barack Obama in the 2014 Presidential Proclamation honoring volunteers nationwide during National Volunteer Week. "Every day, Americans carry forward the tradition of service embedded in our character as a people.

"Across our country, volunteers open doors of opportunity, pave avenues of success, fortify their communities and lay the foundation for tomorrow's growth and prosperity. … because of their service, our country is a better and stronger force for good," the president added.

Members of the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden took time out to celebrate their outstanding volunteer contributions during the 2014 Volunteer Recognition Ceremony at the Community Activity Center April 25.

"We are extremely proud to recognize our most outstanding volunteer organizations," said Camille Howes, with the garrison's Plans, Analysis and Integration Office. "Today four of these organizations have achieved over 5,000 volunteer hours during the course of the year."

Wiesbaden's American Red Cross led the way in the past year with 10,284 volunteer hours. Other organizations recognized for more than 5,000 volunteer hours included the Wiesbaden Community Spouses Club; Child, Youth and School Services; and the Wiesbaden Protestant Gospel Service.

Deborah Casey, a longtime volunteer and master of ceremonies for the event, said that from April 1, 2013, through March 31 USAG Wiesbaden volunteers contributed more than 84,000 hours, saving the garrison some $1,894,448.05 in employee expenses. That's more than in any other year, according to Earl McFarland, the garrison's Army Volunteer Corps coordinator.

Volunteers enjoyed lunch and a host of giveaways during the recognition ceremony which saluted Wiesbaden's Volunteer of the Year.

Before recognizing the individual award recipients, Col. David Carstens, USAG Wiesbaden commander, congratulated the Volunteer Family of the Year -- the Parker family (Curtis Parker is the chief of Client Services with the Staff Judge Advocate) -- for their extensive involvement with the Wiesbaden Wahoos swim team and Venture Crew 107 Scouting program.

"Through active volunteerism and within our community, the Parkers have guided and mentored many youth to be well-rounded individuals who are outstanding community volunteers themselves," said Howes. "Families like the Parkers make Wiesbaden a better place to live and work."

Individual Volunteers of the Year included: Lizzy Crongeyer, Adult Volunteer of the Year; Lt. Col. Robb Meert, Military Volunteer of the Year; James Hazlett, Retiree Volunteer of the Year; and Gabriel Morgan, Youth Volunteer of the Year.

Congeyer, who volunteers four full days a week at the Wiesbaden American Red Cross, was noted for helping streamline processes, teaching numerous classes and logging more than 1,152 hours as a volunteer with the office.

Meert was commended for his volunteer service as a fourth-grade Sunday School teacher, youth sports coach, support of the Association of the United States Army, local schools and Army Community Service.

Hazlett's volunteer credentials include supporting Outdoor Recreation's Hunting, Fishing and Sport Shooting Program in various capacities ranging from helping teach the German hunting course to helping mount scopes on rifles. It's estimated that his efforts helped save Outdoor Recreation more than $3,000 in expenses over the past year.

The community's Youth Volunteer of the Year was celebrated for a range of volunteer efforts including supporting wounded warriors in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center to helping provide office and special events support.

For more information about getting involved as a volunteer in Wiesbaden call McFarland at civ (0611) 4080-254.

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Volunteers of the Year photos