Garrison honors volunteers at annual ceremony

By Mary Del RosarioMay 24, 2022

U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Commander Jeremy McHugh with the category winners at the annual Volunteer of the Year awards ceremony.
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Commander Jeremy McHugh with the category winners at the annual Volunteer of the Year awards ceremony. (Photo Credit: Ruediger Hess) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Commander Lt. Col. Jeremy McHugh and Deputy to the Commander Michael Amarosa display the ceremonial check showing the equivalent monetary value of donated volunteer hours.
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Commander Lt. Col. Jeremy McHugh and Deputy to the Commander Michael Amarosa display the ceremonial check showing the equivalent monetary value of donated volunteer hours. (Photo Credit: Ruediger Hess) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAUMHOLDER, Germany – The annual Volunteer of the Year Awards ceremony honored volunteers throughout U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz May 13 at the Rheinlander Club at Smith Barracks here.

Volunteers recognized ranged from a wide span of agencies including the outdoor recreation program, school youth programs, the chapel, KMC Onstage, the USO, the Red Cross, Army Community Service and Family Readiness Groups.

Acting Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Jeremy A. McHugh highlighted the importance of volunteers during his opening remarks.

“Whether you volunteer one hour a week or hundreds of hours a year, your impact is immeasurable,” praised McHugh.

During the ceremony, six winners received awards for six categories and, in total, the volunteer-provided value of hours donated added up to the equivalent of $546,803.57.

“It’s not about the money,” McHugh added. “It’s about the heart. The heart you show by all that you’ve done, while juggling your own jobs, activities and families. The debt we owe you is gratitude, and we can never fully repay.”

Closing out the ceremony, 21st Theater Sustainment Command Commanding General Maj. Gen. James M. Smith, also praised the efforts of all volunteers.

Awards winners are:

2021 Youth Volunteer of the Year
Teighan Morse

2021 Teen Volunteer of the Year
Janiyah Spruill

2021 Single Soldier Volunteer of the Year
SGT Joseph Lasko

2021 Military Volunteer of the Year
SGT Nicholas Tayon

2021 Civilian Volunteer of the Year
Ms. Alison Tulud

2021 Family Member Volunteer of the Year
Ms. Lori Bane