Tri-Border Community volunteers honored for their service

By Christophe Morel, USAG Benelux Public AffairsJune 14, 2019

Schinnen Volunteer Ceremony
1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schinnen Volunteer Ceremony
2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Col. Sean Hunt Kuester, USAG Benelux garrison commander, recognized Tri-Border Community volunteers during a formal recognition ceremony June 6, 2019, in Schinnen, The Netherlands. Considered the heart of the Benelux community, volunteers make a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schinnen Volunteer Ceremony
3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Col. Sean Hunt Kuester, USAG Benelux garrison commander, recognized Tri-Border Community volunteers during a formal recognition ceremony June 6, 2019, in Schinnen, The Netherlands. Considered the heart of the Benelux community, volunteers make a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schinnen Volunteer Ceremony
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Col. Sean Hunt Kuester, USAG Benelux garrison commander, recognized Tri-Border Community volunteers during a formal recognition ceremony June 6, 2019, in Schinnen, The Netherlands. Considered the heart of the Benelux community, volunteers make a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schinnen Volunteer Ceremony
5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Col. Sean Hunt Kuester, USAG Benelux garrison commander, recognized Tri-Border Community volunteers during a formal recognition ceremony June 6, 2019, in Schinnen, The Netherlands. Considered the heart of the Benelux community, volunteers make a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schinnen Volunteer Ceremony
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Col. Sean Hunt Kuester, USAG Benelux garrison commander, recognized Tri-Border Community volunteers during a formal recognition ceremony June 6, 2019, in Schinnen, The Netherlands. Considered the heart of the Benelux community, volunteers make a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schinnen Volunteer Ceremony
7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Col. Sean Hunt Kuester, USAG Benelux garrison commander, recognized Tri-Border Community volunteers during a formal recognition ceremony June 6, 2019, in Schinnen, The Netherlands. Considered the heart of the Benelux community, volunteers make a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CHIÈVRES, Belgium -- U.S. Army Garrison Benelux leaders honored Tri-Border Community volunteers during the annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony June 6 in Schinnen, The Netherlands. The community includes personnel stationed in Schinnen and Joint Force Command Brunssum, The Netherlands.

Volunteers spent time into serving and supporting the community in activities such as child and youth events, family readiness groups and community recreation events.

"We thank you and admire you for all that you've done for the community," said Army Col. Sean Hunt Kuester, USAG Benelux garrison commander.

The winners of the 2019 Volunteers of the Year are.

Youth Volunteer of the Year: Adison Lenz.

Adison Lenz volunteered at the Alliance Players Community Theater and the AFNORTH International School by assisting teachers. She was the freshman class vice president as well as a middle and high school student ambassador.

Civilian Volunteer of the Year: Therese Guza.

Therese Guza served countless hours for the community thrift stores. She supervised other thrift store volunteers, created schedules and ensured volunteers were registered and recorded their hours in the Volunteer Management Information System.

Volunteer Family of the Year: The Lenz Family.

The Lenz family collectively served approximately 2,000 hours to the Tri-Border Community. The Lenz family was actively involved in the community and volunteered for multiple organizations.

Volunteer Organization of the Year (a tie): The Alliance Players Community Theater and Thrift Store.

The Alliance Players Community Theater began in 1975. The theater is run solely by community volunteers and provided quality and affordable theatrical entertainment for the Tri-Border community. The Alliance Players Community Theater is a place for community volunteers to explore and grow in theatrical arts.

The Thrift Store received donations of goods, inventoried, organized, priced and prepared goods for community members to purchase at affordable prices. In 2018, $6,150 in proceeds from the Thrift Store and various fundraisers were deposited into the American Spouses Club Welfare Account.

Service Member of the Year (tied): Staff Sgt. Julio Diaz and Staff Sgt. Kavaishon Homes.

Army Staff Sgt. Julio Diaz dedicated his time to improve the overall health and well-being of community members. In 2018, Diaz volunteered 800 hours.

Army Staff Sgt. Kavaishon Homes coached and mentored children in sports. He taught them the importance of being a team player and showing good sportsmanship.

Overall Volunteer of the Year Award: Janet Ann Lenz.

Janet Ann Lenz was involved in multiple organizations and played a significant role in each. She organized planned and coordinated volunteer support for various Parent Teacher Organization events, community fundraisers and the Geilenkirchen Haunted House during Halloween. She was also a Tri-Border Girl Scout co-leader.

In 2018, Tri-Border Community volunteers served a total of 61,925 hours. That equates to $1,548,125.

Interested in serving your community? For more information about the Army Community Service's Army Volunteer Corps, please call DSN 314-366-6833 or +32(0)65-32-6833.

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