FORT BENNING, Ga., (April 27, 2016) -- Fact: 4,129 volunteers, 110,263 volunteer hours, $2.7 million saved.
The Fort Benning Army Community Service held its annual volunteer awards ceremony and reception April 21 to honor individuals who donated their time to better their community.
"Without the volunteers a lot of our programs and organizations wouldn't be able to function," said Starla De Saussure, the Army Volunteer Corps Program manager.
De Saussure explained that the volunteer awards ceremony and reception recognized 29 volunteers of excellence, 24 Family readiness group volunteers of excellence, two retiree volunteers of excellence, five youth volunteers of excellence, eight volunteer families of excellence, two family readiness groups of excellence, two units of excellence and one volunteer organization of excellence. "The volunteers of the year include George Hunter the Retiree Volunteer of the Year; Laura Early, Volunteer of the Year; and the Mason Family, the Volunteer Family of the year," she said.
Among those being recognized was Sam Rhodes, a retired command sergeant major and a volunteer with Warrior Outreach.
"It's all about giving back, being able to help the veterans. We want to help as many veterans and their Families as we can. It's an honor to be part of an organization that has so many volunteers," he said.
Jessica Leonard, the Army Family Team Building Volunteer Program manager, was also an honoree. She explained that moving every few years makes acquiring jobs hard for those in the military.
"Volunteering helps you gain experience in different areas. It helps keep you actively involved," she said.
Krissy Wagner received a Volunteer of Excellence award for her time spent volunteering at Kathleen's Closet, Fort Benning's dress-lending shop.
"My parents always taught me the value of giving back. Kathleen's Closet was named after my mother. She was a military spouse. I love being able to give young women the chance to get a dress for prom or a military spouse a dress for a formal event," Wagner said.
Olive Smith, a retired Army nurse, received her Volunteer of Excellence award for donating time to the American Red Cross on Fort Benning.
"Being at the hospital and having a chance to give back to the Soldiers is rewarding," she said.
Nathaniel Coakley accepted the Volunteer Organization of Excellence Award on behalf of The Fort Benning Wounded Warrior Association. He is the president of the nonprofit organization.
"Volunteering is my way of giving back to those who have served. For me, it's not volunteering. It's more like helping those who are a part of your extended Family," he said.
Brandon Paine received a Youth Volunteer of Excellence award.
"I see people who have worked so hard. Some have even given up their lives. I just think that it's so important to give back to people. Even if it's just the little things," Paine said.
"Over the summer I worked with the Officers' Christian Fellowship in Colorado Springs. I was given the chance to help these Families get a chance to relax. I served them food, changed their beds, helped them in any way I could," he added.
For those hoping to be recognized next year for their volunteer service, De Saussure offered these words of advice.
"Make sure that your hours are being documented," she said.
In order to qualify for a Volunteer of Excellence Award, adults must have completed 500 hours of volunteer service and youths 250 hours of service.
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