Annual Volunteer Salute to be held June 4

  • Published
  • By Terri O'Keefe
  • Airman and Family Readiness Center
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The 2009 Hanscom Volunteer Salute will be held June 4 at the Minuteman Club from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Volunteer Salute is the only annual event to recognize the contributions of Hanscom's volunteers. The event is free and open to all base volunteers and their supporters, whether they volunteered one hour or 1000 hours in the past year. The theme for 2009 is "Celebrating People in Action."

Hundreds of volunteers contribute immeasurably to the quality of life at Hanscom and in their individual communities. They represent over 25 organizations and dedicate their time to fill a critical need. Hanscom volunteers assemble packages and send them to deployed personnel, visit lonely hospitalized veterans, collect life-saving blood donations, teach Scouts leadership and life skills, assist students with their homework assignments, and help individuals with their tax returns.

The 2009 Hanscom Volunteer Salute will feature a special slide show, "Volunteers in Action," in addition to remarks by Col. Dave Orr, 66th Air Base Wing commander and presentation of the prestigious Chief Of Staff Volunteer Excellence Award. The VEA honors a volunteer who has contributed significantly to his or her community over an extended period of time.

Examples of the impact volunteers have on our community include:

Hanscom volunteers regularly visit the Bedford VA Hospital.

"The Bedford Vets really look forward to our visits each month," said Senior Master Sgt. Derwin Henderson. "We socialize and laugh with them, play bingo, and serve refreshments. Their stories of war, sacrifice and the service they gave to our great county inspire all of us. I think our service members look forward to the visits as much as the residents in Bedford VA Ward 4 look forward to us coming each month."

Hanscom personnel volunteer to coach youth sports.

"I like volunteering because it allows me to give back to my community," said Tech. Sgt. Jillian John. "Working with kids offers me the opportunity to be a role model and mentor for the kids and I also get to spend some quality time with my 11 year old daughter, who plays soccer for the Youth Center. Soccer is a sport I love and coaching allows me to pass on a bit of knowledge to young athletes; which in turn prepares them for the next level of the game if they stick with it."

Family Services volunteers knit and crochet items which are assembled into layettes by other volunteers. The layettes are then given to families of Hanscom newborns. Kathy Vaillancourt collects thank-you cards sent by grateful recipients. One note said, "Since we don't have any family around here, the layette was really nice and welcoming. Another wrote, "It is so amazing that you have sacrificed so much time and energy on our baby when we are complete strangers."

These stories reflect just a small sampling of the hundreds of ways our communities are enhanced by the efforts of volunteers.

Everyone is encouraged to attend the volunteer salute on June 4 to show support and gratitude to all those who make a difference.

For more information on the Volunteer Salute contact Terri O'Keefe at the Airman and Family Readiness Center at (781) 377-4222.