Ansbach volunteers lift spirits and touch lives

The volunteers of the year present the garrison commander, Col. Christopher M. Benson a symbolic check for hours donated by the community. (U.S. Army photo by Bianca Sowders)

The volunteers of the year present the garrison commander, Col. Christopher M. Benson a symbolic check for hours donated by the community. (U.S. Army photo by Bianca Sowders)

ANSBACH, Germany (April 28, 2016) – Members of the U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach community assembled at the Von Steuben Community Center to recognize the community’s volunteers during a ceremony with the title “Lifting spirits, touching lives.”

The USAG Ansbach commander, Col. Christopher M. Benson and Command Sgt. Maj. Derek R. Cuvellier honored the volunteers in attendance for the many hours donated to the community. The majority of them volunteered for more than 300 hours, several even for more than 800 hours.

A special recognition honored four volunteers of the year in the following categories:

  • Family Member Volunteer of the Year: Ashley Mate, volunteer for American Legion
  • Soldier Volunteer of the Year: Spc. Shayla Marrow, President of Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS)
  • Local National of the Year: Monika Hawkins, volunteer for Army Community Services (ACS)
  • Youth Volunteer of the Year: Carson Duplessie, volunteer for the Katterbach Chapel, the Terrace Playhouse Theater, the American Legion and Junior ROTC at Ansbach High School.

The Volunteers of the Year received a certificate of achievement and an engraved crystal plate.

“You as volunteers play an essential role in the installation programs. You directly and indirectly have affected Soldiers and Families, and improved the installation’s readiness,” said Benson, who addressed the honorees as keynote speaker. “Volunteers often don’t know the impact they have on another person’s life. Perhaps your sense of humor makes someone’s day better.”

At the end of the ceremony the garrison commander was presented a symbolic check for the dollar amount saved by the volunteers. From April 1, 2015, to March 31, 2016, volunteers of the USAG Ansbach community contributed 22,595 hours, worth an estimated $521,266, according to USAG Ansbach Army Community Service officials.

To find out how you can volunteer, call Army Community Service at Katterbach Kaserne at 09802-83-2883 or DSN 467-2883.

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