FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Fort Jackson's volunteers were honored in a ceremony June 11 at the Solomon Center.
Last year, more than 1,000 volunteers contributed more than 75,000 hours to the installation's 16 volunteer organizations.
Brig. Gen. Bradley May, Fort Jackson commanding general, praised the volunteers' efforts as a vital part of the Army community.
"Many Army organizations and programs began as total volunteer endeavors and grew into Army Community Service, child development centers, Army Family Team Building, Army Family Action Plan and family readiness groups, just to name a few," May said.
"Many Army organizations would not function successfully without volunteers."
This year, many of the volunteers were active in more than one organization, said Marilynn Bailey, Fort Jackson volunteer coordinator.
"I think it has a tremendous impact on our community when we have volunteers who are willing to give up their personal time to more than one organization," Bailey said. "We are very fortunate as an installation to have people who care enough about our community to do this."
During the event, Fort Jackson volunteers of the year were named in four categories: youth volunteer, retiree volunteer, active-duty volunteer and family member / civilian volunteer.
In addition, five volunteers were inducted in the Volunteer Hall of Fame for their contributions for more than two years.
Amy Scarpulla, a family member, won the award in her category for volunteering with the 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment family readiness group, the Fort Jackson Spouses' Club, At Ease, the Fort Jackson Yahoo Group and the drill sergeant spouse focus group.
"(Volunteering is) something I've always done," Scarpulla said. "I love to be involved in the military community, no matter what post we've been stationed at. It's a great way to give back to the Soldiers who work so hard every day."
Scarpulla said she was surprised to win the award.
"Never in a million years did I even think that I would win this great and amazing honor," she said. "I hardly think of what I do as work, it's just something I love to do - and to be recognized for something you love to do is unbelievable."
Susanne.Kappler1@us.army.mil
Editor's note: Volunteers who were recognized can download their photos at www.fortjacksonmwr.com/VolunteerOfTheYearPhotos.
Volunteers of the year:
Youth category: Jessica Doiron, 16, Thrift Shop
Retiree category: Mark Kirkendall, Boy/Cub Scouts
Active duty military category: Sgt. 1st Class Rafael Abreu; Sgt. 1st Class Rene Aguayo; Sgt. 1st Class Jamie Delmolino; Sgt. 1st Class Cheri Depenbrock; Sgt. 1st Class Ronald Jackson; Master Sgt. Richard Lopez; Sgt. 1st Class David Sloan; all with the Recruiting and Retention School.
Family member / civilian: Amy Scarpulla, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment
Volunteer Hall of Fame inductees:
Edith Currie, American Red Cross
Loretta Hill, Daniel Circle Chapel
Donna Oates, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment
Jeanette Outten, Main Post Chapel
Rhonda Woody, 171st Infantry Brigade
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