Youth volunteers save community $14,000

By Mark Iacampo, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria - HohenfelsAugust 13, 2015

American Red Cross Youth Volunteer Program participants
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HOHENFELS, Germany -- Hohenfels honored the participants of the American Red Cross Summer Youth Volunteer Program with a luau-themed luncheon and recognition ceremony here, recently.

The 22 youth volunteers donated a cumulative total of over 600 hours, amounting to roughly $14,000 in savings to the Hohenfels Military Community, according to the National Average of Labor Statistics.

"The main function of this program is to give the youth volunteers of Hohenfels a chance to get on the job training and take some of the skills that they're learning in school and apply them in a real world setting," said Amanda Macias, American Red Cross SAF (Service to the Armed Forces) regional program specialist.

"It helps them learn responsibility, time management, and the structure of the workforce," added Kristin Jacobs-Schmid, American Red Cross adult youth chairman.

Adding to the employment experience, volunteers are interviewed both by the Red Cross and the sponsoring units where they will work. Seven organizations across Hohenfels supported the program including the Post Gym, Outdoor Recreation, Military Personnel Division, MP Station, Youth Sports, Thrift Shop and the Red Cross office.

Preferences for positions were considered, but depended on availability. Kylie Barker was delighted to be accepted at the MP Station.

"I've known since I was 9 years old that I want to be in the FBI," Barker said. "When we move, the place where we're going has an FBI camp, and I figured saying I had volunteered for the summer with the MPs would help me get chosen."

Barker said one of the highlights of her summer training was visiting the site of an auto accident in the training center.

"The car was totally totaled, and they let me take the pictures," she exclaimed.

Esmeralda Martinez joined the program last year as one of the youngest participants ever. She said she enjoys gaining experience from the different positions available, but her favorite part of the program is getting to know the other volunteers and making new friends.

"And it's a good way to spend your time in the summer instead of just sitting in your house being lazy and stuff," she added.

Besides the work experience, youth volunteers can apply their volunteer hours to their school curriculum.

"Certain academic programs such as Honor Society or JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp) require volunteer hours, and this provides a nice opportunity for students to gain experience during a time when they don't have academic responsibilities as well," said Jacobs-Schmid.

Other benefits of the program are more intangible.

"I truly believe service makes a better self," said Jacobs-Schmid. "In society today, it seems like many people are focused on instant gratification, and in contrast, here you are actually helping something and you're not getting a paycheck, but you are getting experience which will help you in the long run."

Aubrey Bruhn considered spending her summer bagging groceries at the commissary, but opted for volunteering at Outdoor Recreation instead.

"I'd rather do something I enjoy instead of just something to make money," she said. "At Outdoor Rec I got to learn about a lot of activities, I got to go on a lake trip and I got to learn about bikes and organizing stuff."

Bruhn enjoyed the experience so much that she intends to continue volunteering during the school year. She is also looking at volunteer opportunities in other countries.

"I am looking forward to going to Belize and volunteering to work with endangered monkeys," she said. "With volunteering, you get to help other people or animals who maybe can't help themselves, and it's fun!"

Mike Haney, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria-Hohenfels manager, said that the commitment, dedication and passion from the community's youth is inspirational.

"A lot of our programs in the community depend on volunteers, and these youth are donating their time and energy to these organizations and this installation expecting nothing in return, they just want to help out. They are part of what makes Hohenfels great," Haney said.

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