Sgt. Renee Kraus, administrative noncommissioned officer to the Fort Meyer, Va., garrison command sergeant major, shares the spirit of giving with the local military community by volunteering with So Others Might Eat, a nonprofit Washington, D.C. organization.

"There's nothing like giving a full plate of food to the homeless," she said. "Some of us aren't in a position to make monetary donations so this is how I give back.

Her service didn't go unnoticed by the American Legion, who awarded her its "Spirit of Service Award," which goes to one service member from the five military services.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and American Legion National Commander Thomas Bock presented the award to Kraus in front a crowd of nearly 5,000 Legionnaires in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Bock commended Kraus during the ceremony for feeding the homeless, organizing a community fun run, organizing a food drive and promoting safety awareness. She's also the founder-president of her Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers group and volunteers at the Fort Myer Thrift Shop and USO, where she assists in making care packages for Soldiers serving overseas.

"I love to help people," Kraus said, after receiving the award. "But in the end, it all comes down to living the Army values."