WIESBADEN, Germany -- Behold, the power of the volunteer: From April 2014 to March 2015, Wiesbaden volunteers gave 78, 328.1 hours to the garrison. Based on the average hourly earnings of all production and non-supervisory employees as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics with the current hourly rate of $23.07, over the past year, they have saved U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden $1,807,029.20.
They were honored with a luncheon at the Community Activity Center April 24, with top volunteers recognized with prizes and plaques.
"This garrison commander appreciates what you do for this community because it is truly seen," said Garrison Commander Col. Mary Martin before introducing the winners. "Please continue to do what you do for this community -- it is needed."
"Those in the military make up less than five-tenths of 1 percent of the population. This group is made up of folks who by their very nature are volunteers," added Dr. Robert Schloesser, director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. "The other side -- the family side --does the majority of volunteering. They carry the load when it is crunch time."
The top volunteer organization were Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers with 4,645 total hours donated; Wiesbaden Community Spouses Club with 12,086 hours; and the American Red Cross with 12, 485 hours.
The adult volunteer of the year was Julie Parker, a volunteer with the Wiesbaden Wahoo Swim Team. She has given her time and talents to the swim team for 10 years and helped build it from 10 to more than 70 members. She single-handedly contributed more than 1,000 hours organizing swim meets, fundraisers and carpools, in addition to helping a family with a loved one suffering from a terminal illness.
The military volunteer of the year was Maj. Sonia Williams, a volunteer who took lead of the Wiesbaden Gospel Service when no one else would. In addition to leading the service, she gives extra time to mentor those serving the congregation. She also spearheaded the reimplementation of Children's Church, vets volunteers and repositions youth leaders accordingly.
The Retiree volunteer of the year was Donald Norris, a volunteer with the Army in Europe Retiree Council. He stood out by reviewing a complex and lengthy Army-level regulation on retirement services, providing nearly 30 recommendations for improvement. He regularly writes awards for Retiree accomplishments, reviews regulatory guidance affecting Retirees and facilitates medical town halls.
The youth volunteer of the year is Ric Heiges, a student at Wiesbaden High School who serves as a Catholic Religious Education Program teacher's aide, a baseball and wrestling assistant coach, Cub Scout Pack 13 volunteer, Boy Scout volunteer and previous den chief for Pack 13, Wiesbaden High School Student Council president and president of the Warrior Video Production Club. He gave more than 400 hours to the community, mainly youth. He is also an Eagle Scout with 48 merit badges, an athlete with letters in football and wrestling and six-time winner of the Wiesbaden Volunteer of the Month.
With a family like the Heiges, it's no wonder he won. The Heiges family -- Pia, Bill, Ric and Ami Rose --was awarded the family volunteer of the year award. They contribute time to a multitude of organizations in the community, including the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the chapel, Red Cross, Junior ROTC, the VFW and community schools. Their oldest son, now in college, still volunteers with his fraternity.
They started volunteering with the Boy Scouts upon moving Wiesbaden and it grew from there, said Bill.
"We are already doing these things anyway, so it doesn't really take extra time," he said. "We're just raising our family and other youth in our community. Now our children carry that torch."
Ric gravitates toward mentoring youth through sports and spends some weekends coaching refereeing youth wrestling.
"I feel that giving younger people a good environment gives them a positive role model," he explained. "Trying to get kids active is really something special. Being a wrestling coach is my favorite."
Mom Pia and sister Ami Rose are heavily involved with Girl Scouts and Brownies. She has enjoyed "following the girls up," she said.
"It's a beautiful progress to see -- how they develop and change. It's rewarding to establish a good rapport and see growth that takes place," she said. "The rewards far outweigh whatever sacrifices you make. It's so important to fill that need."
Each award winner received a certificate of appreciation and a $100 certificate for a planners savings account donated by Andrews Federal Credit Union. There were also door prizes given away.
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