PISA, Italy – Army Community Service recently held a volunteer recognition ceremony highlighting three of Camp Darby’s exemplary spouses.
Katie Saunders who works as a mentor, tutor and Girl Scout Troop Leader, received the 2022 Military Spouse Volunteer of the Year award. Saunders exemplifies the Girl Scout motto, which says “a Girl Scout is ready to help out wherever she is needed.” said Shavonn Jones, an ACS staff member. She passes these attributes on to the youth she serves through various activities and projects.
Saunders said she started volunteering because being involved in the community can really make a base feel like home. “Volunteer service provides an opportunity to connect with people you may not normally meet. Helping out with Girl Scouts allowed the base to keep a program that provided a fun and enriching environment for girls of all ages,” Saunders said.
“Katie has captured over 200 Volunteer Hours for 2022. She pours her heart, patience and creativity into the organization,” Jones said. Katie is an asset to the community as well as a true Girl Scout.”
Cynthia Saylor received the 2022 Civilian Spouse of the Year award for her work organizing the Angel Tree Program. Gifts collected were donated to disabled residents of the Casa Familia Adult Group Home in Pisa. Saylor also helped organize the Army’s birthday potluck, welcomed new team members with welcome baskets, served on the Morale Welfare and Recreation community council and supported important community events such as the Super Bowl party, Egg-apalooza and Halloween Trunk-or-Treat. Saylor strives to make the community better, Jones said.
“From the start, while staying at Casa Toscana, Cynthia volunteered independently, cleaning up the playground area weekly for the children and scrubbing chafing dishes for our MWR community dinners,” Jones said. “Cynthia has helped new arrivals get acclimated to the surrounding economy, taking them shopping, to get gas, and exploring. She has many times helped Soldiers and civilians that are having a difficult time acclimating to the new environment.”
Military spouse Diana Rose was awarded the 2022 Civilian Employee of the Year. She is the PTSO President for Livorno Elementary/Middle School (LEMS), President of the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) for the Child Development Center (CDC), and she also volunteers for the local Girl Scout troop. She has led many community events such as the Back-to-School Ice Cream Social, Trunk-or-Treat, bake sale fundraiser, Santa's visit, and creation of the school yearbook.
“While Ms. Rose is very beneficial to the 839th Transportation Battalion, she also plays a huge role in the community,” Jones said. “Her caring nature for those around her make the military base feel more like home, and a safe and fun place to be.”
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