Garrison takes care of its ‘heart’

Volunteers – “The Heart of the Community” – were honored April 24 at the U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern’s volunteer recognition ceremony at Vogelweh’s Armstrong Community Club.

Donating 102,220 hours this year, volunteers registered with the garrison saved the U.S. government almost two million dollars – equal to 46 Government Service-9 employees, said Angela Bellamy, the garrison’s Army Volunteer Corps coordinator.
 “Our volunteers take care of families during deployments, wounded troops and children throughout the KMC,” said Mrs. Bellamy.

She added that this ceremony is a way for the garrison to say “thank you” to the almost 1,300 community members who are registered with the volunteer program. This number, said Mrs. Bellamy, does not include the more than 1,200 people who have volunteered for the garrison’s Special Olympics Spring Games for the past 24 years.

More than 100 of these registered volunteers were presented with awards in front of a crowd of almost 400 community members at the annual ceremony. Agencies and organizations throughout the community nominated 21 Volunteers of Excellence, and each were recognized at the ceremony.

Volunteer of Distinction honors went to Susie Plunkett. She volunteers with five community agencies, including the Kaiserslautern United Service Organizations where she assists with special events and Soldiers at the Ramstein passenger terminal, who are either deploying or redeploying.

Back by popular demand was the Volunteer Soldier of the Year award, which had been absent from the recognition ceremony for the past two years. It went to Master Sgt. Scott Penhollow, the garrison’s equal opportunity advisor, who is a Kaiserslautern High School mentor, Army Family Team Building instructor, Special Olympics buddy, Family Readiness Group member and an actor with the garrison’s KMC Onstage.

“He volunteers in almost every aspect of this community,” said Mrs. Bellamy, during her speech announcing Sergeant Penhollow’s award.

For the second year in a row, a Teen Volunteer of the Year award was presented. Michael Boone, Kaiserslautern High School junior, is this year’s recipient. He also received the Kaiserslautern-Landstuhl Spouses Association’s $1,500 Anneliese Moore Scholarship. This is the first year the KLSA has awarded this scholarship, which is in memory of a longtime Landstuhl Thrift Store volunteer.

Michael volunteered for his high school student council, 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s FRG and garrison’s agencies and events such as Special Olympics and Safe Neighborhood Awareness Program.

“I’m so proud of him (for being named) teen volunteer,” said his mother, Jacqueline Boone, who is the garrison’s Employee Readiness Program manager. She is also a 21st TSC volunteer and was named one of the Volunteers of Excellence at the ceremony. She was the command’s FRG advisor and welcome chair for more than two years.

New this year was the Teen Group of the Year award, which went to the Torch Club. This is a youth leadership club sponsored by the garrison’s teen center on Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. This club also grabbed the surprise of the night when they were awarded the Presidential Bronze Volunteer Award and a letter signed by President George W. Bush.

Both awards were in recognition of the club’s visits to German nursing homes, assisting with family functions and garrison events such as the annual Christmas toy drive.

Winning the Group of the Year was the Landstuhl Red Cross. The 200-plus members have given more than 33,000 hours helping more than 10,000 wounded warriors from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Although not an official award, 5-year-old Ceilidha Campbell was given an angel doll for her volunteer work with her mother, Tawny Lyn Campbell, with Project TLC: Serving Those Who Serve. The acronym TLC represents Ms. Campbell’s initials. This mother-daughter team visits wounded American and European warriors recuperating at LRMC. 

Guest speaker for the ceremony was Nancy Gaskins, who is a professional speaker, author and consultant. She is an Army spouse who has more than 20 years of experience with military families that span National Guard, Reserves and Active Duty Army.

“I encourage you to dream big and give your ideas on how you can make your mark on this world by proudly serving your community and your nation,” said Ms. Gaskins.
Entertainment was provided by the U.S. Army Europe Chorus, who performed a 15-minute show of ‘70s and disco melodies.

Selection was done by a 12-member committee of officer and enlisted Soldiers from the garrison and several Army units in the KMC. Volunteer activities, hours and impact to the community were listed on nominees’ forms, but their names were withheld, said Mrs. Bellamy.

Award and ceremony photos can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/heraldpost.