Volunteer Recognition and Volunteer Excellence Award deadline approaching

  • Published
  • By Cason Soat
  • 88 Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The deadline to submit entries to the Airman and Family Readiness Center for Team Wright Patterson Volunteer Recognition and the Air Force Volunteer Excellence Award is Mar. 30. 

Supervisors are encouraged to highlight their candidate's achievements in the form of a one page memorandum to the AFRC. 

Throughout the 2008 calendar year Wright-Patterson volunteers contributed more than 184 thousand hours to Wright-Patterson, saving more than $3.6 million. The 2140 base volunteers included active duty, military retiree, government civilian, dependent, regular civilian and veteran individuals, all of whom are potentially eligible for the award. 

"Volunteering comes from ones heart," said Dawn Ivy, communication readiness technician at the AFRC and leading base efforts for the volunteer program. "Some volunteer to give something back to the community and others find volunteering is a great way to build a resume and establish key contacts on the base and in the local community."

The Chief of Staff authorized Volunteer Excellence Award was established to recognize federal civilians, family members, military retirees and federal retirees who perform outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct and consequential nature. 

According to Ivy, eligible candidate's service must be performed either in the local civilian or military family community. Furthermore, the service must be significant in character, produce tangible results and reflect favorably on the United States Air Force. 

The Volunteer Recognition ceremony will be Apr. 27 at the Wright-Patterson Club and Banquet Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The awards ceremony will be a combination of presenting the VEA award and honoring all of the nominees for their efforts and time spent serving the community. 

The event is a part of National Volunteer Week, Apr. 19 through Apr. 25, intended to recognize and honor those who dedicate themselves to improving their communities. The week will include special volunteer events nationwide, including a volunteer information fair which will occur on Apr. 21 and will showcase over 40 local volunteer agencies. 

"It's not about the money," said retired Chief Master Sgt. Marvin Dale, the recipient of the 2003 VEA. "Volunteering is very important within the military." 

Dale was also one of the first base recipients of the Angel Award, a base award that honors a very few select outstanding volunteers. 

If you have any questions regarding the award, event or nominations, contact Dawn Ivy at 657-0941 or dawn.ivy@wpafb.af.mil.