VICENZA, Italy -- More than 665 people volunteered close to 65,000 hours in various capacities across the installation from April 2015 to April 2016.
Those generous community members were recognized in the April 29 "Lifting Spirits, Touching Lives" volunteer recognition ceremony at the Golden Lion on Caserma Ederle. Garrison Commander Col. Steve Marks was on hand to present certificates and awards.
"Volunteering not only supports the community, it also helps develop lasting relationships and links our hearts toward a common goal," Marks said. "When someone donates a handful of time, the difference made is tremendous, and it shapes a community for the better."
Sentiments aside, volunteerism is a tremendous money-saver, said Yvonne Leible, program manager, Army Volunteer Corps. Leible said the labor savings for this community was almost $1.5 million in the past year. There were even twenty-one volunteers who dedicated more than 500 hours each.
"Volunteers are so vital to our community," Leible said. "We simply couldn't do what we do on a daily basis without them."
Volunteers donate their time and talents for a variety of reasons. In OCONUS environments where family members sometimes have difficulty finding jobs, Leible said volunteering allows people to stay relevant in the workforce. For people with little work experience, it's a way to gain some skills and help build a resumé.
On the military installations here, there are 164 organizations that offer volunteer positions. Some of these locations are the library, fitness center, youth services, health and dental clinics, and schools.
"Our volunteers continue to show they are an integral part of the community, providing services that are vital to the success of this community and the military," said Marks at the recognition ceremony.
Becoming a volunteer means filling out some paperwork, but Leible said she stands by ready to help. The AVC office has all the information needed to get started, and the first step is registering in the Army One Source system. Anyone interested should go to www.MyArmyOneSource.com, or stop by the AVC office at Army Community Service, Building 108, on Caserma Ederle.
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