FORT SILL, Okla. (April 26, 2018) -- Retiree Regina Bennett doesn't have much spare time.
She and her daughter Samantha are currently sponsoring 21 international students. Last year they sponsored 46.
They've hosted foreign military students through Fort Sill's International Student Division since 2011. Regina also volunteers at the Blessed Sacrament thrift store in Lawton, at least twice a week. Also, she volunteers with Family Promise of Lawton, which assist newly homeless families.
Why does she volunteer?
"My satisfaction is helping people," said Regina, who is a military spouse widow. "I also like learning about other cultures."
For her efforts, Regina was recognized as Fort Sill's Retiree Volunteer of the Year during the post's annual Helping Hands Awards ceremony April 20. She was also recognized in the Fort Sill Retiree Hall of Fame for donating over 5,500 hours.
Dozens of volunteers who were nominated by their respective units, organizations and agencies were honored by their supervisors, co-workers, families, friends, and installation leaders at the Patriot Club.
The ceremony also recognized the Emma Marie Baird Award winner, Active-Duty Volunteer of the Year; and Family Member Volunteer of the Year.
Lorraine Clark, U.S. Army Volunteer Corps program manager, from Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, Texas, attended the ceremony.
"I think volunteers are the heart of the Army," Clark said. "Volunteers extend the Army's budget by millions of dollars every year, and that's critical."
Dan Farrell, Fort Sill Army Volunteer Corps coordinator, served as master of ceremonies.
"We come together this evening to simply say: 'Thank you. Thank you for caring and thank you for sharing your time and talent. And, thank you for your incredible selfless service," he said.
The ceremony was conducted during National Volunteer Appreciation Week, Farrell said. The Army's theme is: "Army Volunteers: We Salute You."
Lisa Overbay was awarded the prestigious Emma Marie Baird Award for outstanding volunteer service in Army Community Service. She was the only recipient of the award this year across the Army, Clark said. A story on Overbay's achievements will appear in next week's Tribune.
Sgt. Benjamin Vanburen, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 30th Air Defense Artillery, was the Active-Duty Volunteer of the Year. Vanburen volunteered at the Fort Sill USO Center, Cub Scouts Pack 187 as a den leader, and as an online suicide prevention counselor for Battle in Distress, Inc.
"I started volunteering just so I would have something to do in my free time, it just became gratifying and I kept doing it," said Vanburen, who works as a brigade medic.
Nicole Wolf-Sumner was the Family Member Volunteer of the Year. She works at Survivor Outreach Services supporting Gold Star families, and has performed almost 600 hours since October.
"I'm really honored to be recognized," she said. "I volunteer because I want to do something that has meaning, and volunteering is the perfect way."
All volunteers received certificates of appreciation signed by Maj. Gen. Wilson A. Shoffner, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general, three games at the Twin Oaks Bowling Center, and an oil change at the Fort Sill Auto Crafts Center, Farrell said.
Overbay and the three volunteers of the year also received framed two-star notes and CG's coins of excellence, two Labor Day concert VIP Passes to see Kool and the Gang, a weekend Lake Elmer Thomas Rental Area cabin rental, and a fleece blanket with the Fort Sill Artillery Half-Section logo.
During the ceremony, Col. Samuel Curtis, Fort Sill Garrison commander; presented an oversized check to Joe Gallagher, FCoE deputy to the CG; and Command Sgt. Maj. Carl Fagan, FCoE CSM. The $1.6 million check symbolized the amount of the volunteers' almost 69,000 hours donated to the Lawton-Fort Sill community during 2017, Farrell said.
Some groups with numerous volunteer hours included: the Patriot Spouses' Club, American Red Cross, Post Thrift Shop, Fort Sill museums, American Red Cross, Army Partnership with Local Area Schools, Boy and Girl scouts, and the Armed Services YMCA, Farrell said.
Carol Herrick and Sheena Towsey, Armed Services YMCA executive director, and volunteer supervisor, respectively, like many leaders, attended the ceremony to support their volunteers.
"There is no way the Soldier's Closet, the Food Pantry, the Board of Trustees, or the Military Welcome Center could operate without volunteers," Towsey said.
Sgt. Jeremy Phillips, A Battery, 1st Battalion, 19th Field Artillery, was nominated by his unit for Volunteer of the Year. He has volunteered at Child and Youth Services for over three years coaching 10- to 12-year-olds in basketball, baseball, and football.
"The biggest reason I volunteer is to give kids who don't have a positive male role a role model," he said. "The joy I get is knowing that kids are learning to play a sport that they love in a safe environment."
In his speech, Gallagher said this is one of the most important ceremonies that the commanding general hosts.
"The value of what you provide the community is significantly higher (than money), not just in the actions that you do, but in the example you provide for those around you," Gallagher said. "It is by watching you that they see there is an opportunity for themselves to join in and help the community."
HONOREES
ACTIVE DUTY
1st Lt. Henry Etchberger, 3-2nd ADA
Spc. Nicolas Mihojevich, HHB, 31st ADA Brigade
Sgt. Jeremy Phillips, 1-19th FA
1st Sgt. Daniel Roletto, CYS Youth Sports and Fitness
Staff Sgt. James Schaal, 5-5th ADA BN
Spc. Jawuan Smoot, 100th BSB
Sgt. Benjamin Vanburen, HHB, 30th ADA Brigade
ACTIVE-DUTY SPOUSE/FAMILY MEMBER
Kayla Blossom-Catiller, 2-2nd FA
Ralna Burbank, Patriot Spouses Club
Cintia Buxton, 2-20th FA
Jessica Chung, MEDCOM
Erin Corrigan, HHB, 75th FA Brigade
Tiffani Driver, HHB, 428th FA Brigade
Nicole Hunsley, Religious Services Office
Leticia Kitchen, Marine Artillery Detachment
Amanda Lawson, Freedom Elementary School
Aniela Leong, 3-13th FA
Michelle Mason, 1-30th FA
Deah Pickett, 1-14th FA
Kim South, 4-3rd ADA
Laura Trentham, Growing Spouses Army Strong
Amanda Veracruz, 1-40th FA
Nicole Wolf-Sumner, Army Community Service
Angelika Wormuth, 2-4th FA
Jennifer Worsham, HHB, 434th FA Brigade
RETIREE/RETIREE SPOUSE
Retired Col. John Anderson, ASYMCA Military Welcome Center
Regina Bennett and Samantha Bennett, International Student Division
Bernadita Cash, Fort Sill Thrift Shop
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