None of the winners knew that they had been selected as a Fort Sill volunteer of the year until they sat down at the ceremony and saw their name in the program.
"I'm really honored, and overwhelmed with emotions," said Jennifer Dawber, active-duty spouse/family member volunteer of the year.
"I just found out -- it's all right with me," said Harold Sowell, age 74, retiree volunteer of the year.
"I had no idea, I'm a little bit stunned," said Maj. Marny Skindrud, 214th Fires Brigade executive officer, active-duty/DA civilian volunteer of the year.
The three were among the dozens of volunteers recognized at the Fort Sill Helping Hands awards ceremony April 17, at the Patriot Club. The ceremony honored the installation's top selfless serving heroes, who were nominated by their units or agencies, said JD Famoly, Fort Sill Army Volunteer Corps program manager.
"Thank you for caring. Thank you for sharing your time and talent, and thank you for your incredible selfless service," Famoly said to the volunteers, as master of ceremonies.
The Helping Hands dinner was the culmination of Volunteer Appreciation Week April 12-18. Throughout the week, Maj. Gen. John Rossi, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general; and Liz Rossi, Fort Sill first lady, with Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Lindsey, FCoE CSM, hosted several socials honoring volunteers at Polo Club.
During April, commanders thanked members of their units who have volunteered to make their Family Readiness Groups Army Strong, Famoly said. They recognized command teams, family readiness liaisons, FRG leaders and members, who worked hard to ensure Soldiers and their families were informed, connected and ready.
In his invocation, Chaplain (Maj.) Scott Nichols, Fort Sill Garrison resource management chaplain, said: "Lord, our words and actions tonight cannot entirely express just how grateful we are of their willingness to serve."
At the ceremony, Brenda Spencer-Ragland, Fort Sill Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation director, presented General Rossi with a symbolic oversized check for over $2.4 million. The amount illustrated the dollar value of the 107,683 hours donated by more than 3,000 volunteers here last year.
Volunteers ranged from service members to family members to civilians to retirees. They include everyone from children to seniors in their 90s, Famoly said.
Rossi said the post could not function, and provide all the services it does without its volunteers.
"We are indebted to you, and this [ceremony] is simply a reflection of our appreciation for what you do," he said.
The general held up an Outstanding Military Volunteer Service Medal, which Soldiers can qualify for through substantial volunteer service.
"I know you didn't sign up to do it just to get this medal," he said. "You, like civilians, are doing it for the right reason just out of service, and we absolutely appreciate that."
Each agency, battalion and brigade could submit their top volunteer for the installation recognition. A five-person committee made of a senior spouse, garrison CSM, post leaders and directors reviewed the nominations and made the selections for volunteers of the year, Famoly said.
Dawber was recognized for her work as the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Family Readiness Group adviser, Fort Sill Patriot Spouses' Club parliamentarian, Army Family Action Plan recorder and committee member, and winner of the January volunteer of the month award.
She regularly assisted in the organization and implementation of the 31st ADA Brigade's Mind, Body and Spirit resources tours, helping new spouses learn about the services and programs. Dawber also volunteered with the PSC Casino Royale Gala, Tree and Wreath Gala, and decorated the Patriot Club for the holidays.
Why does she volunteer?
"I volunteer because it's needed and I love it," Dawber said. She recalled growing up as an Army family member and how volunteers made the youth centers work that she frequented.
Skindrud, who is a member of the 580 Rollergirls, performs between 30 and 40 hours a month in community service as part of the team. She volunteered giving skate lessons to children, and worked the concession stand at the Fort Sill July 4 concert. She also regularly visits the Veterans Center to play bingo with the aged vets, and she worked a fund raising festival for the Armed Services YMCA.
Skindrud said she first learned about volunteering from her family when she was a child.
"When I was a little girl and we had tornadoes in Wisconsin, afterward my dad and I would just get in the truck and start cutting the neighbors' tree limbs and helping people," she said. Over the years she has volunteered with many venues including the 4-H and Sunday school.
Lt. Col. Carl Chasteen, 214th FiB deputy commander, nominated Skindrud for the award.
"She's the brigade XO which is a very demanding position for a major and requires a lot of hours, but yet she manages to find time to volunteer," Chasteen said.
Sowell volunteers with the American Red Cross as a greeter at Reynolds Army Community Hospital.
"His warmth and kindness greet the patients at RACH bringing comfort and support to everyone who walks in the building, Famoly said, reading Sowell's award citation.
Sowell, who is a retired sergeant first class, has volunteered with the Red Cross since 2007. Before he was a greeter, he volunteered at the pharmacy.
Sowell said he volunteers to give back to the community.
"Maybe one day when I get to where I can't do something, someone else will help me," said Sowell, who served 23 years as an Army food service specialist.
Mitzi Roberts, Red Cross station adviser, nominated Sowell.
"We have so many dedicated volunteers that it is really hard to choose one," she said, "but Mr. Sowell has a very robust résume from his church and other organizations."
As part of the ceremony, 12 volunteers were inducted into the retiree hall of fame inductees. They have served more than 2,000 hours in the Lawton-Fort Sill community.
"We have some volunteers who have been volunteering for over 40 years in the thrift store," Famoly said.
Retiree hall of fame inductees
Henry Angiel 2,996 hours
Velma Bluford 4,421 hours
Janis Brown 3,107 hours
Roy Dixon 4,071 hours
Barbara Gratten 8,380 hours
Shirley Hanson 4,706 hours
DeAnn Hill 2,701 hours
Shirley Hopper 2,823 hours
Lisa Overbay 2,395 hours
Joan Peterson 2,874 hours
Jack Thomas 3,653 hours
Irene Tidde 7,383 hours
Agency volunteers
Rosemarie Arnett, Fort Sill Thrift Shop
April Broussard, Catholic Women of the Chapel Kristen Daly, Army Community Service Amanda DeWild, Geronimo Road Elementary School PTA 1st Lt. Corey Haynes, Youth Sports Abigale Kohut, Family Advocacy Program Allison Mohan, Fort Sill Girl Scouts Margo Rabe, Protestant Women of the Chapel Harold Sowell, American Red Cross Christen Stasevich, Patriot Spouses' Club
Military unit volunteers
Deborah Black, Warrior Transition Unit
Kayla Cawthon, 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade Samantha Ceballos, Reynolds Army Community Hospital Jennifer Dawber, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Douglas, 2nd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery Jonathan de Guzman, Dental Activity Josephine Ortega, 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery Maj. Marny Skindrud, 214th FiB Staff Sgt. Terry Vannoy, 3rd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery Amanda Veracruz, 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Sgt. Kevin Ward, 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery
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