SAN ANTONIO -- The U.S. Army Installation Management Command recently announced the recipients of the 2011 Army Recreation Awards.
COL William Rabena, IMCOM deputy G-9 for Warrior and Family Support, made the announcement at IMCOM headquarters on Fort Sam Houston.
The awards recognize garrisons making the most noteworthy efforts in providing recreation activities. They are designed to bring a national focus on outstanding practices and provide an incentive for exceptional customer service.
The Recreation Employee of the Year is Jonathan Cole, manager of the aquatics program at Fort Rucker, Ala. The Career Employee of the Year award went to Mark Wicker, community recreation director for Fort Knox, Ky.
Best Recreation Program awards went to U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg, Germany, and Fort Campbell, Ky.
"This awards program recognizes the 'best-of-the-best'," said Sandra Nordenhold, chief of the Recreation Programming Team for IMCOM. "Recreation is the key to stress release for the Soldier and Family member, and the benefits to our wounded warriors are immeasurable."
Honorees will receive engraved trophies and certificates recognizing their achievements. In addition to these mementos, recipients of the following will receive monetary awards: Employee of the Year and Career Employee and the Installation Recreation Program award winner(s).
The Friend of Recreation volunteer awards were also named. They are:
• Kimberly Carr, U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, Germany, for 1,000 volunteer hours acting, directing and producing at the Amelia Earhart Playhouse;
• Anthony Del Rosso, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe -- SHAPE -- Belgium, for producing and directing plays at the SHAPE Players and Performing Arts Centre;
• Patricia Devine, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., for conducting a 12-week series of drama workshops;
• Francis (Fritz) Downs, Fort McCoy, Wis., for volunteering at Auto Skills to teach safety procedures;
• Susan Leibfried, USAG Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, for directing, organizing and performing in the Roadside Theater Show Choir;
• Dale Maxwell, USAG Ansbach, Germany, for designing and building sets for Ansbach's Terrace Playhouse and for assisting at Arts & Crafts;
• Brooke Riedeman, USAG Bamberg, Germany, for assisting the Bamberg Library with more than 1,000 volunteer hours performing weekly story hours, Arts & Crafts classes, holiday programs and ethnic observances; and
• LTC Craig Unrath -- Fort Rucker, Ala., for supporting, organizing and participating in the Outdoor Recreation Council and for volunteering more than 600 hours to improve the quality of life for Soldiers and their Families.
Cole used his 10 years of knowledge of aquatics operations and maintenance to improve safety, recreational fitness and swimming fitness programs and improved overall customer service for Fort Rucker patrons. Cole also developed partnerships with surrounding communities to enhance the program and make a difference in the lives of Soldiers and Family members.
Wicker, has worked 31 years for Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation in both Community Recreation and Child, Youth and School Services recreation programs. Under his leadership, Ft. Knox is recognized as the Army's model for the Family and MWR Recreational Delivery System. At Fort Knox, Wicker's was the first non-pilot recreation program to earn accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA).
USAG Bamberg, as a medium garrison, consistently provides new interests and opportunities for Soldiers and Families for leisure recreation, well-being, and resiliency. Examples include: a recreation expo including Zumba, volksmarching, aikido, mountain biking obstacle courses and geocaching; a Night at the Lake which provides Soldiers and Families the ability to spend the night under the stars while enjoying cost free and family-friendly entertainment within walking distance from home; and Bamberg Mardi Gras, a blend of Mardi Gras and Fasching for the Soldiers and Families with activities provided by Soldiers and the local community.
Ft. Campbell, as a large garrison, offers a dynamic, strong, comprehensive and diverse recreation programs. Examples include: "Camp We Can" - a week long summer camp for children with cognitive and physical disabilities; "Character Brunch and Dinner" where kids meet and greet book and movie characters for autographs, dress up in princess or superhero attire and compete for prizes; "Daddy & Me Crafts" providing a creative opportunity for fathers to work with their children on Mother's Day craft projects.
IMCOM G-9 helps garrison recreation programs deliver outstanding services for the greatest possible impact on Soldiers', Families' and Civilians' lives. The awards are designed to encourage the garrison programs, their staff and volunteers to perform at the highest levels.
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About the U.S. Army Installation Management Community:
IMCOM handles the day-to-day operations of U.S. Army installations around the globe -- We are the Army's Home. Army installations are communities that provide many of the same types of services expected from any small city. Fire, police, public works, housing, and child-care are just some of the things IMCOM does in Army communities every day. We endeavor to provide a quality of life for Soldiers, Civilians and Families commensurate with their service. Our professional workforce strives to deliver on the commitments of the Army Family Covenant, honor the sacrifices of military Families, and enable the Army Force Generation cycle.
Our Mission: Our mission is to provide Soldiers, Civilians and their Families with a quality of life commensurate with the quality of their service.
Our Vision: Army installations are the Department of Defense standard for infrastructure quality and are the provider of consistent, quality services that are a force multiplier in supported organizations' mission accomplishment, and materially enhance Soldier, Civilian and Family well-being and readiness.
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