ANSBACH, Germany (Aug. 29, 2014) -- Several youths at U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach received recognition for their volunteer hours during an American Red Cross youth volunteer recognition ceremony at the Von Steuben Community Center Aug. 22, 2014.
Mostly over the summer, the 16 youths at USAG Ansbach contributed 1,942 hours of their time, which saved the garrison roughly $43,000, according to the local American Red Cross station manager, Cassandra Wyatt.
"The kids were really remarkable," said Wyatt. "This summer they did a lot of hours."
The youth volunteers worked for the American Red Cross, the on-post thrift shop, the Post Office, Army Community Service, and Child, Youth and School Services and more. During the ceremony, several of the supervisors that worked with the volunteers were recognized as well.
During the ceremony, Kevin Griess, deputy garrison commander of USAG Ansbach, and Command Sgt. Maj. Mark A. Kiefer, presented certificates to the volunteers. Griess also spoke on the occasion, connecting their volunteerism with leadership.
"One of the hallmarks of a leader is selflessness -- the willingness to contribute to things that are greater than the self," said Griess. "This is our leader recognition, because our youth that are here today are actually our next-generation leaders."
Griess also thanked the youths for volunteering in what is essentially their hometown.
"The cornerstone of America is the hometown," said Griess. "While we share the European experience and we are partners with Europeans, we are still Americans, and we are on the Ansbach footprint, which is our hometown. So we try our best every single day to make sure that this is part of our hometown."
The volunteers impressed the supervisors they worked with, according to Wyatt. Griess heard similar reports.
"The people that have worked with you have relayed to me very positive experiences with you," said Griess. "Thank you very much for your time (and) for your effort."
Capt. Leah Craine's daughter Juliana Saunders was the master of ceremonies at the event. Craine spoke of her daughter.
"I am very proud of Juliana," said Craine. "She has worked very hard this year. She's the youth chairman, she has really enjoyed her time this year working with the Red Cross.
"She started volunteering with the Red Cross in the school year," continued Craine. "Then over summer she decided she wanted to do it full time. She started off with a couple of days a week, and she decided she wanted to do it full time. She has just blossomed a lot during this program."
This year was not the first volunteering for Larissa Atkins, one of the youths recognized. She volunteered with the American Red Cross this year. She spoke of her reasons for joining.
"First it was because my mom told me to, but then the next year it was because I enjoyed it," said Larissa Atkins.
Her mother, Leslie Atkins was at the ceremony to see the garrison and the American Red Cross recognize her daughter. She corrected her daughter's assertion that she had "told" Larissa to volunteer.
"Well, last year I did make the recommendation that she volunteer," said Leslie Atkins. "I'm a firm believer that you have to be a positive member of your community, and you're never too young to participate in that. Everyone can participate in something."
Beth Starritt, a Family member at USAG Ansbach, had three children recognized as volunteers this year -- Lane, Ross and Ryan.
"I think they learned responsibility," said Beth Starritt of her children. "The post office where these two (Lane and Ross) worked said they would like them to come back like over Christmas or whenever they have time to volunteer again. That makes me feel good."
Ryan Starritt worked at Outdoor Recreation, which afforded him the opportunity to work with one of his friends.
"I got to spend the summer with one of my friends," said Ryan Starritt.
Griess, in his speech, made clear that volunteerism and leadership do not need to end once school resumes.
"We're ending the summer and we're starting school," said Griess. "School provides you with another set of opportunities to lead, whether it's in clubs or associations or even within your own Family -- helping your parents, helping your mother, helping your father do something. Remember, the cornerstone of leadership is selflessness. When you lead others, you have to have their welfare ahead of your own. You can lead every single day."
Youth volunteers the American Red Cross recognized included Larissa Atkins, Heather Piepmeier, Juliana Saunders, Simona Thompson and Martin Thompson. New volunteers in 2014 included Ashea Acevedo, Shayne Benson, Megan Kelgard, Lane Starritt, Ross Starritt, Ryan Starritt, Zach Schluth, Claire Torza, Gillian Torza, Eliana Vargas and Keanu Vaughn.
Many of the volunteers earned the President's Volunteer Service Award. Ashea Acevedo, Juliana Saunders, Lane Starritt, Ross Starritt and Keanu Vaughn earned the bronze award. Ryan Starritt and Eliana Vargas earned the silver award. Larissa Atkins, Megan Kelgard, Heather Piepmeier, Zach Schluth and Simona Thompson earned the gold award.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities at USAG Ansbach, select "American Red Cross at USAG Ansbach" or "American Red Cross at USAG Ansbach Facebook page" in the "Related Links" section.
To see more photos of the ceremony, select "American Red Cross youth volunteer recognition 2014 Flickr photo album" in the "Related Links" section.
Related Links:
American Red Cross at USAG Ansbach
American Red Cross youth volunteer recognition 2014 Flickr photo album
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