Andersen AFB recognizes volunteers during National Volunteer Week

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Quail
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs

Over 300 Team Andersen members were recognized at the Service Unites volunteer appreciation ceremony, April 26, 2017, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during National Volunteer Week.

Service Unites is the theme that was chosen for this year’s National Volunteer Week. The week of April 23-29 recognized and thanked volunteers who lent their time supporting and building stronger communities through service.

“Volunteers contribute selfless and sometimes thankless hours serving the community,” said Jocelynn LaShier, a section chief at the 36th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center. “We’d like to show our appreciation to those that give back to the community by recognizing them and awarding them a certificate on National Volunteer Week.”

National Volunteer Week has been recognized every year since it was established by Presidential Proclamation 4288 in 1974 to distinguish those that give back to their communities.

The A&FRC calculated over 33,000 hours that were reported by volunteers in 2016. Hours that were reported to the A&FRC are multiplied by minimum wage to decipher out how much Team Andersen has saved for organizations that are in need of help.

“After calculating the hours times minimum wage, we found that there was a total savings of $274,088.76 if we paid every single volunteer minimum wage,” said Tanya Damian said, a work life specialist assigned to the 36th Force Support Squadron A&FRC.

Volunteer organizations across Guam such as the Guam Animals In Need (GAIN) and United Service Organizations (USO) are always looking for volunteers.

“One of my favorite volunteer events is the monthly barbecue that we partner with the chapel on,” said Courtney Johnson, a USO volunteer. “The barbecue event is held at Northwest Field for the military members out there that may have a harder time accessing food.”

Volunteering is important to Team Andersen because it helps those in need and strengthens the community.

 “The giving of time to people who need it, not only benefits them, but also benefits the individual giving back,” Damian said.

For those interested in volunteering, please contact the A&FRC at 671-366-8136.