Volunteering benefits Whiteman

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bryan Crane
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Volunteerism may be defined as contributing one's time or talents for charitable, educational, social, political, or other worthwhile cause, freely and without regard for compensation.

Members of the Whiteman Air Force Base community were recognized by Brig. Gen. Scott Vander Hamm, 509th Bomb Wing commander, April 9 for their volunteer efforts throughout the calendar year 2011 at Mission's End.

"We had 13 volunteers recognized this year for giving more than 500 hours of their free time to help make this community better," said Debbie Kermick, 509th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant. "It's so impressive the amount of help we get from all the different groups on base so we can help accomplish tasks and save government money."

The volunteer organizations include but are not limited to the; Thrift Shop, Airman's Attic, Key Spouse, Officers' Spouse Club, Medical Group Pharmacy, Enlisted Spouse Club, Youth Sports and Youth Programs, Chapel, Retiree Activities, Whiteman Elementary School and the Security Forces Spouse Group.

These groups, along with others, contributed 688 volunteers for a total of 34,723 hours, saving the government more than $752,101.

"The year 2011 was a great year for us as we increased our total volunteer hours by 54 percent compared to 2010," Kermick said. "We have a strong community here and it really showed through our success last year."

Kermick could not stress enough the importance of helping the Whiteman community growth through volunteer efforts.

"Every volunteer is important to us, if they work for one hour or if they're out there for 500 hours," Kermick added.

"The best way for me to describe the importance of volunteering is through a quote from Marian Wright Edelman," said Glenda Alexander, Airman and Family Readiness Center chief. "I see volunteerism as service and Edelman said 'Service is the very purpose of life, it is the rent we pay for living on this planet."

Anyone interested in volunteering will have to attend an orientation, which is held once a quarter for potential volunteers to fill out an application. Orientation will allow members interested in volunteering to get familiar with the different groups on base and the expectations.

"There is room for anyone, all ranks and all abilities." Kermick said. "There will be a project out there that will help our community get stronger and stay well-rounded. I love it so much, I'm a volunteer myself."

The A&FRC serves as the installation focal point for coordinating volunteer recruitment, training and recognition. For more information call A&FRC at 660-687-7132.