FORT BENNING, Ga., (May 13, 2015) -- Fort Benning community volunteers and their supporters gathered May 7 for the annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony at the Benning Supper Club. The ceremony celebrated and recognized volunteers who contributed their time to the Fort Benning community in 2014.
This year's ceremony "changed up the way (Fort Benning) normally does the volunteer ceremony" said Starla De Saussure, Fort Benning's Army Volunteer Corps program manager. "We're doing a red carpet theme, and honoring our volunteers who so generously donated their time and talent to the Fort Benning community. We wanted to make them feel special (with) valet parking, a social hour, the red carpet, a seated dinner ... and swag bags."
The Maneuver Center of Excellence's Commanding General Maj. Gen. Scott Miller and Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Guden presented the awards.
"This evening we will be recognizing a lot of wonderful individuals, fabulous Families and wonderful groups who have done a lot of extraordinary things for the community," said Tracy Rainey, the event hostess. "My sincere hope is that tonight you get inspired and re-energized after being here."
Fort Benning had more than 3,500 volunteers with more than 104,000 hours of time, said Steve Thiele, master of ceremony. Each volunteer hour is valued at roughly $23.55.
De Saussure presented a symbolic check of $2.4 million to Fort Benning's leadership.
Categories for awards included Volunteer of Excellence, Family Readiness Group of Excellence, Retiree Volunteers of Excellence, Units of Excellence, Volunteer Families of Excellence, Youth Volunteers of Excellence and Volunteer Organization of Excellence, in addition to individual awards.
The Retiree Volunteer of the Year for Fort Benning, William "Bill" Wilson, and Volunteer of the Year Teresa Birmingham received a medal, a picture of Fort Benning, a special gift package that included $100 worth of gift cards for the commissary and a $50 Army and Air Force Exchange Service gift card, a gift certificate for a weekend in Destin, Florida, with a harbor cruise and a designated parking space at the Post Exchange.
"Being recognized is wonderful, but any volunteer will tell you they don't do it (volunteer) for the recognition," said Birmingham. "I do it because I love Soldiers, and I love Army Families."
In addition to the individual awards, the Bevington Family received the Volunteer Family of the Year Award.
They will represent the Chattahoochee Valley Fort Benning chapter of the Association of the United States Army as the Fort Benning Family of the year and go on to compete in its national competition. Representatives presented the family with a check for $1,000.
The ceremony ended with remarks from Miller, who thanked the volunteers for their behind-the-scenes work.
"There is a top layer (at Fort Benning), things we see - a bunch of military guys running around, getting assigned missions," Miller said. "But somewhere underneath there are things happening on this post that really make it run.
"Often times leaders aren't aware of everything that happens until they come to this event - and see you taking care of our Soldiers. Thank you for all that you do."
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