MacDill recognizes its volunteer force

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  • By 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AFB, Fla --  MacDill recognized its many volunteers at the 18th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet, Thursday at the Surf's Edge Enlisted Club. This year's theme was "Volunteers Make a World of Difference." 

This year, 53 agencies with more than 1,000 volunteers registered. The largest representation came from the hospital and pharmacy. Active duty members, spouses, and dependent teenagers make up the remaining 40 percent, with scouting programs, youth sports programs, Tinker Elementary, American Red Cross, and even tenant unit volunteers being part of the MacVip Program. 

This year's award recipients  are:

500 Hour Club: 39 individuals, who together have volunteered 27,491 hours.
Roberta Amburgey, Josephine Betley, James Blocker, Angela Bougas, Kay Byrne, Mary Chase, Lynde Cress, Bill Curtiss, Mary Beth Davey, Glenn Eggleston, Kathleen Eldridge, Diane Epps, Roger Epps, John Glenn, Ruth Gross, Marissa Grubbs, Don Hammel, Delores Henwood, John Hertus, William Hodapp, Carol Hollen, Chuck Iler, Michelle Iler, Crystal Kenagy, James Kiesgen, Walter Mealor, Stephen Moore, Jo Overly, Paul Pierson, Barbara Rowley, Dianne Roy, Darcy Scharfeld, Ashton Shoop, Carl Smith, Maurice Stickney, Christine Stives, Yvonne Thompson, Alfred Vanderbilt, and Rita Young 

1,000 Hour Club: 14 individuals, who together have volunteered 17,998 hours.
George Baraket, Essie Counts, Henry Counts, Charles Fisher, Olga Kelly, Lloyd Lindemuth, Tom McAndrew, Kelly Patch, Dawn Smith, Troy Thomas, Lilian Uno, Lindsey Wilson, Samantha Wolf, and Geraldine Wollard 

2,000 Hour Club: 1 individual, who volunteered 2915 hours,George Thomason 

RAO Volunteer of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Lloyd F. Lindemuth, USAF, Ret. 

Angel Award 
The MacDill Angel Award is designed to recognize the accomplishments of the most devoted volunteers. Mrs. Eunice Welch, wife of General Welch, established the angel lapel program in 1987. It is awarded to the most deserving individuals and is symbolic of when an angel would be dispatched on missions of mercy, rescue, or special interest. This special award goes to individuals who have excelled in their chosen fields of volunteer expertise. A volunteer can only receive this award once in a lifetime. This year's recipients are Liz Bass, of the JG Thrift & Consignment Shop; Kathy Eldrige, of the MacDill Family Resource Center; Gloria Anderson, of the American Red Cross; Geraldine Woolard, of the American Red Cross; Ruth Gross, of the JG Thrift & Consignment Shop; Elizabeth Palm, of the Pharmacy; George Reed, of the MacDill Family Resource Center; Christine Stives, of the JG Thrift & Consignment Shop; and Barney Westmoreland, of the MacDill Family Resource Center in Brandon. 

Volunteer of the Year: Larry Bernstein, of the Air Passenger Terminal.
Larry's efforts this year enabled the Air Passenger Terminal to assist in processing more than 700 passengers in three base exercises with zero violations. His dedication has earned Larry several awards throughout his volunteer career. His compassion for the customers and his eagerness to serve has not only benefited the Air Passenger Terminal, but MacDill AFB. 

Volunteer Coordinator of the Year: Jo Overley, JG Thrift & Consignment Shop.
Jo has years of service to the JGTCS and to the MacDill community. Her strong sense of responsibility and passion to the JGTCS has motivated more thian 30 volunteers this year. Her continuous devotion to her volunteers and community has benefited the shop with record sales, allowing thousands of dollars in support to scholarship funds and charitable organizations throughout the military communities. 

Air Force Volunteer Excellence Award: Lilian Uno, of the MacDill Community Clinic in Brandon.This award recognizes federal employees, family members, and military federal retirees. The VEA is equivalent to the Military Volunteer Service Medal.
Her knowledge and expertise in many areas of the MacDill Community Clinic has allowed that agency to serve our military members and their dependents in an efficient and positive manner. Her dedication to excellence reflects the record of zero errors in the processing of over 150 claims this year. Not only does she serve our military community, but her volunteerism reaches out to numerous community organizations. 
Cheree Ziegler also won the award. Her consistent and sustained personal volunteer leadership has positive impact on base and local community. She was an active volunteer with Cub Scout Pack 56 for more than three years and helped raise more than $4,000 during annual popcorn sale.