SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - The Na Koa Award Volunteer Ceremony is a quarterly ceremony which honors and recognizes U.S. Army Hawaii community's most dedicated volunteers. This ceremony was held at the Nehelani Banquet and Conference Center here, July 29.
Marizel Mihal, the family readiness group leader for Forward Support Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, was recognized for her volunteer service of more than 360 hours as the FRG Leader since October 2014.
"The power of one volunteer can create a wave of change that leaves an everlasting footprint for the next generation to follow," said Jack Wiers, an editor of the Hawaii Army Weekly newspaper for USARHAW (U.S. Army Hawaii) Garrison Public Affairs. "Truly your dedicated service is helping to keep our families strong and our Force moving forward in these lean fiscal times."
Mihal was one of four volunteers that were recognized at the ceremony.
"Well I've just been the FRG Leader for FSC, so I've just been organizing events for the family members;" Mihal said. "When they went to JRTC [Joint Readiness Training Center] I made sure the families were entertained weekly with activities and coordinated getting volunteers to help me out."
"I will continue volunteering with the FRG until my husband's Change of Command," Mihal said. "My new interest is to volunteer at the Thrift shop on Schofield.
Mihal likes the idea of the Thrift Shop and how it works along with the Army's initiative to "go green."
"It is wonderful how people donate and give," Mihal continued. "We sort through everything and put it on display for customers. The prices are great and we keep it green by reusing items others have no use for anymore."
For Mihal, volunteering is more than a way to kill time.
"It's a passion," Mihal said. "If you feel you could bring something positive to an organization get involved, volunteer and inspire people. Make them feel welcome and treat them how you would want to be treated."
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