Team Goodfellow celebrates volunteer service

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joshua Edwards
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Goodfellow hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Day at the Event Center here, April 18, as part of National Volunteer Week.

The National Volunteer Week was created by President Richard Nixon in 1974. Every president since has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week, which is observed this year from April 21 to 27.

"For those of us in the military, the day doesn't end when you take your uniform off," said Col. Mark Damiano, 17th Training Wing Commander. "This volunteerism goes hand in hand with the core of what we do. Thank you very much for getting out in the community and doing what you do."

Volunteer Appreciation Day honored civilians and military members by presenting them with the President's Volunteer Service Award and the Volunteer Excellence Award.

"We host this event annually and it gives Col. Damiano a chance to say thank you," said Kathy Garrett, Airman and Family Readiness community readiness specialist. "Wherever our people go they continue to volunteer. Once you develop that spirit it continues on."

The President's Volunteer Service Award recognizes to individuals, families and groups who have demonstrated outstanding volunteer service and civic participation during a 12-month period. Volunteers who donate 100 to 249 hours of their time receive a bronze medal award, 250 to 499 hours receive a silver medal and 500 or more receive a gold medal.

This year's bronze medal recipients are Airman 1st Class Kyle Adair, 17th Communications Squadron; Airman 1st Class Kyle Burgess, 17th CS; Airman 1st Class David Minzer, 17th CS; Airman 1st Class Trevor Spires, 17th CS; and Airman 1st Class David Turner, 17th CS.

Recipients of the silver medal are Rachel Preen; Staff Sgt. Alexander Williams, 17th Security Forces Squadron; Sharon Smith, Team Goodfellow spouse and local artist; Seungmin Kim-Knott and the Upward Youth Volunteers.

The Volunteer Excellence Award recognizes federal civilian employees, family members, federal civilian retirees and military retirees who perform outstanding volunteer community service, which has an impact on the community.

Recipients of the Volunteer Excellence Award are Sharon Smith, Bill DeLaughter, Linda Nemeth and David Moore.

"I can't narrow it down to the type of volunteer work I like, but I guess when I see a blank wall and I think there might be a chance someone might approve a mural, I just go for it," said Smith. "I love painting for my church, the base pool was a lot of fun and the five sheep I have in town were wonderful."

After the volunteers received their awards, the Airman and Family Readiness Center presented Damiano a check representing the $532,832 the volunteers saved the community throughout 2012.