Volunteers save base estimated $2.7 million

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  "Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in."

This is how Darlene Rosario, Airman and Family Readiness Center volunteer program manager, opened the annual Aviano Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony April 17.

More than 70 volunteers attended the ceremony, representing just a portion of the base's volunteer community which donated 124,873 hours of their time in 2011 to such agencies as the chapel, post office, Airmen's Attic, medical group, AFRC and base schools. At a going rate of $21.79 an hour, these selfless individuals saved the base more than $2,720,000.

"Our dedicated volunteers generously offer their time, talents and enthusiasm to enhance many of our community agencies," said Rosario. "The 31st Fighter Wing could not achieve all of its success without the support it received from each and every one of our volunteers."

During the ceremony, special recognition was given to those volunteers who went above and beyond in 2011. These honors included four 31st Fighter Wing Volunteer Excellence Awards, Key Spouse of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Volunteers of the Quarter, and 16 Presidential Volunteer Service Awards.

The Volunteer Excellence Award recognizes exceptional individuals who volunteered with an agency or organization in a sustained, direct and consequential nature, according to Rosario. It is a lifetime achievement award from the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and can only be received once. With four Aviano recipients this year, it is the highest number of individuals the base has ever recognized.

The 31st Fighter Wing Volunteer Excellence Award recipients are:

Catherine Jennings, for her work as president of the Aviano Community of Enlisted Spouses as well as her work with the Aviano Catholic Church and base bazaar committees. Jennings was also the recipient of the Joan Orr Spouse of the Year Award for Aviano AB.

Ann Maglio, for her work as an active key spouse, Breast Cancer Awareness vice president/advisor, Ecological Day volunteer, former president of the Hill AFB Youth Center Parent Advisory Committee and Ronald McDonald House volunteer. Maglio was also named the 2008 Air Force Materiel Command Volunteer of the Year.

Amy Neibuhr, for her work as president of the Aviano Officers and Civilians Spouses' Club, managing a philanthropic budget of $65,000, work as chair of the Business Office of the 2011 Bella Befana Bazaar, responsible for more than $500,000 in sales during a three-day period and numerous other base projects such as the Airmen's Cookie Drive and Operation Yellow Ribbon.

Chuck Whittlesey, for his work as an active key spouse, liaison for the 31st Medical Group information desk, support of Operation Yellow Ribbon and the American Red Cross.

Whittlesey said he really enjoys being able to give back to the community, especially through programs like Operation Yellow Ribbon, and values the importance of volunteer work.

"I enjoy (OYR) because it supports the military members who are both going and coming back from downrange and fighting for our country," he said. "Volunteers have a positive impact on the community and there are so many areas here that really need the help. They do a good job at filling in those gaps."

Jennings, who also donated a lot of energy to OYR, said her time spent with that program along with the Breast Cancer Walk that ACES organized were her fondest volunteer memories.

"I'm most proud of OYR because as a spouse of a military member who deploys a lot I know that it means a lot to them to receive food and refreshments from people who care," Jennings said. "The Breast Cancer Walk is also very personal to me as I have had family members who have been affected by cancer. ACES donated $10,000, while raising an additional $25,000 -- every penny of that going to the Breast Cancer Association."

The 2011 key spouse and quarterly and annual volunteer award winners are:

Key Spouse of the Year:
Colleen Malley

First Quarter:
Non-Technical Volunteer: Alberto Rosario
Recreational Volunteer: Eva Henry

Second Quarter:
Non-Technical Volunteer: Alia Riddle
Technical Volunteer: Brooks Garner

Third Quarter:
Non-Technical Volunteer: Monica Castillo

Fourth Quarter:
Non-Technical Volunteer: SSgt Ilya Kharitonov

Annual:
Non-Technical Volunteer: Alberto Rosario

The Presidential Volunteer Service Award is presented in three levels: bronze, silver and gold. To earn a bronze, volunteers must track at least 100 hours. To earn silver, volunteers ages 15-25 must track at least 175 hours while those age 26 and up at least 250 hours. To earn gold, volunteers ages 15-25 must track at least 250 hours while those age 26 an up at least 500.

This year's recipients are:

Gold level:
Jessica Brockman - 728 hours
Kendra Cawthon - 428 hours
Shandi Fairweather - 255 hours
Eryn Lemieux - 428.5 hours
July Rodriguez - 646 hours
Albert Rosario - 840 hours

Silver level:
Anya Angley - 218.75 hours
Roberta Dossey - 336.5 hours

Bronze level:
Jessica DeLong - 104 hours
Nathaniel Krouse - 141.5 hours
Alycia Larson - 110.5 hours
Laura Lind - 226.5 hours
Ann Maglio - 150.5 hours
Nadiurka Montilla - 162 hours
Liz Zimmerman - 167 hours
Kay Zobrist - 164 hours