GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — April is National Volunteer Month. To celebrate, Army Community Service teams recently recognized local volunteers at ceremonies across U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria.

 

Last year, 376 volunteers were registered within the USAG Bavaria footprint — which includes Tower Barracks, Rose Barracks, Hohenfels and Garmsich. Furthermore, these volunteers collectively logged 34,554 hours to support the community in 2021.

 

“Someone might choose to volunteer because they want to help others who are in need, build relationships by interacting with other people within their communities, and possibly for networking opportunities,” said USAG Bavaria Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator Raina Pringle. “Through selfless dedication and honorable service, volunteers contribute to community cohesion. They unite us and strengthen our community every day.”

 

At the recognition ceremonies, Army leadership, family and friends celebrated the selfless contributions of all volunteers. Additionally, special awards were presented to the USAG Bavaria Volunteers of the Year recipients — of which there were 49 nominees. Award categories included active-duty Soldiers, family members, civilian retirees, youths and  host nation community members.

 

“This year’s theme is ‘Shining a Light on the People and Causes that Inspire Us to Serve,'” said USAG Bavaria Commander Col. Christopher Danbeck. “Today’s ceremony is to shine a light on you, and officially recognize you for your efforts to make this community a better place.”

 

The Army Volunteer Corps, managed by ACS, is a program aimed at connecting community members with volunteer opportunities. Interested in volunteering?

• Rose and Tower Barracks community members should contact the ACS program manager at DSN 599-1101, Civ 09641-70-599-1101 or join the Volunteer 101 https://grafenwoehr.armymwr.com/calendar/event/volunteer-101/4371999/51113 overview class to explore volunteer opportunities.
• Hohenfels community members should contact ACS at DSN 522-4860 or CIV 09472-708-4860.
• Garmisch community members should contact ACS at DSN (314)440-3572 or  CIV 08821-750-3572.

 

Links to photos:

• Additional Garrison Event Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usagbavaria/albums/72177720298403632/with/52027364857/
• USO Volunteer Red Carpet Photos: https://noreastphotography.pixieset.com/usovolunteerredcarpet/
• Editor’s Note: USAG Bavaria Public Affairs is still waiting for the Hohenfels photos. A Flickr album link will be provided, once they are received. 

 

For each award category, here were the 2022 Volunteer of the Year Winners: 

Eilene Campsey – Civilian/Retiree
SGT Nicole Estus – Active Duty
Birgit Hayhurst – Host Nation
Isidra Alger – Family Member
Lorelei Paddock – Youth

 

At each installation, here were the 2022 Volunteer of the Year Nominees: 

RB & TB: Katherine Adler Kasey Alexander Isidra Alger CPT Derek Bremer Eilene Campsey Missy Clampitt Milica Derocher SGT Brea DuBose SGT Nicole Estus Pierre-Jovan Fuentes II Pierre-Jovan Fuentes Sr. SGT Yana Geraghty Joshua Guico Katharina Haney Birgit Hayhurst Cristi Heinz Christina Huskey Melissa Jordan Brittany Kaaihue Nancy Lamora Julie Mccammon SSG Zachary Matheus Nova-Dawn Mauldin Rebecca Richardson Eva Samborski PFC Axel Sandoval Erika Walker Elizabeth Weinerth Zoey Whisler Kate Woodward Darin Worthington

Hohenfels: MSG David Barber Sarah Custer CPT Brian Custer Janet David Monica Giles Brynne Hamer Briza Hernandez Lorelei Paddock Bethany Smith Michelle Turner Stacy Ware Ribana Washington Jeremy Workman Jaden Yazzie

Garmisch: Heike Duvall SSG Brittany Lively PFC Eric Maldonado Barbara Wither

 

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