Valued Volunteers: Humphreys recognizes community volunteers

By: Spc. Matthew Marcellus / USAG Humphreys Public Affairs

CAMP HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea – Echoes of jubilation and excitement filled the River Bend Golf Club as volunteers from across Humphreys were recognized and awarded in a ceremony hosted by Col. Michael F. Tremblay, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys here, April 20.

Tremblay, Brig. Gen. Michael D. Roache, the guest speaker for the event and the deputy commanding general – sustainment for Eighth Army and Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin C. Lemon Jr., the senior enlisted advisor for USAG Humphreys, presented awards covering six categories to dedicated and selfless volunteers from throughout the community.

Maj. Jamila Williams (Active Duty), volunteer for the United Service Organizations (USO) – Sentry Village; Mr. Phillip ‘Danny’ Morris (Retiree), also a volunteer for the USO – Sentry Village; Mrs. Jetta Allen (Family Member), volunteer for the Humphreys Diverse Abilities Group; Mr. Stephen Wahlig (Civilian Employee/Contractor), volunteer with the Arts and Crafts Center; and Mr. Donovan Okpokwasili (Youth), with the Humphreys High School chapter of the National Honor Society and numerous chapel services, each won their respective volunteer categories and received a certificate of excellence, crystal and a coin from Tremblay, Roache and Lemon.

Additionally, Mrs. Jackie Williams, a coordinator for the Humphreys Quarantine Support Facebook page and volunteer for many other Humphreys organizations, won the Volunteer of the Year Award for 2021, recognizing her tireless effort and determination.

“The volunteers in the Humphreys community have had a huge impact, even during the pandemic,” said Jackie Williams. “You will find dedicated individuals coming together to fill the gaps that the Army and its support agencies just can’t fill. Our community fills those gaps to make sure that Humphreys truly is the Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) assignment of choice.”

Ms. Heather Ray, the USAG Humphreys Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation director, presented a giant replica demonstration check with the symbolic amount of $1,729,076.80 to Tremblay, accounting for the cumulative 63,569 hours logged in the Volunteer Management Information System (VMIS) by community members this year.

“The check represents the dollar amount of the hours contributed by Humphreys volunteers to enhance the quality of life for our community,” said Ms. Julie Hu, the Army Volunteer Corp Coordinator for USAG Humphreys. “The value of a volunteer’s time is calculated with hourly earnings released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Independent Sector’s latest report on July 21, 2020, states that the value of a volunteer hour is $27.20.”

A panel of community members judged the nomination packets to determine the winners of each category, a difficult task considering the importance and value that volunteering has brought to the Humphreys community.

“If you had to define the volunteer spirit of Humphreys, it would be determined individuals who serve the community, increasing morale, filling the gaps, and caring for all the members of our community,” said Jackie Williams. “They put in the hours, not expecting anything in return.”

The vast volunteer opportunities and the enthusiastic participation across Humphreys has allowed for a tight-knit web of support which has connected Soldiers, family members, civilians, and all other members of the community together in a unique and helpful community.

“Our volunteers throughout the community are connected to the things that they are passionate about, the things that matter to them,” said Jackie Williams. “You see it in our volunteers who mentor and coach our youth, it’s their passion to work with the youth of our community. You can see it in those who serve our newest community members in quarantine, they have a passion for making them feel welcomed and comfortable during those uncertain and unusual times. You can see it in our volunteers who serve their time filling the gaps behind the scenes, making sure events happen that boost the morale of our community.”

Those seeking volunteer opportunities are encouraged to utilize the VMIS, located on the Army Family Web Portal (AFWP), or to reach out to Hu, at the Army Community Service office on the first floor of Maude Hall.