MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Each year, the nation sets aside a special week to recognize volunteers for what they accomplish for our communities.
Team MacDill recognizes and honors its volunteers during National Volunteer Week (April 18-24).
MacDill AFB has a long-standing history of awe-inspiring selfless contributions that happen every day. Our volunteers not only give back to the base, but they directly support its mission and people. Their on-going support helps highlight how MacDill AFB is a true community of people.
Over the past year, we all have felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption it has caused to our daily routines. Our volunteers are no different and have had to make unique sacrifices to help keep themselves safe as well.
In true form, they still shined thru the fog of adversity and continued to give their time and efforts to our base.
Specifically, the base received contributions from 272 active volunteers; supporting 16 different base agencies by giving more than 21,000 hours and saving the base more than $579,000 dollars in salary.
Each time you visit the pharmacy, a volunteer helped you. Each time you donated to the Airman’s Attic, a volunteer helped. Did you get your taxes done at the Retiree Activities Office or at the Tax Center in Riverview? How about working with your Key Spouse; attending a service in the MacDill Chapel; playing a round of golf; checking out a book at the Base Library; attending an event at Tinker K-8 School; or just hanging out at the FamCamp? You guessed it—our valued volunteers assist all of these base agencies.
We owe it to all of our volunteers by taking a moment and thanking them. Even if you have to elbow-bump them with a mask on, your virtual smile and kind words will recognize and honor them for their selfless contributions to our community. With 272 active volunteers, it may take an entire week to thank them all!
Along with the informal “thanks”, a special recognition should go to Denny Cole from the 6th Air Refueling Wing’s Historian’s office. Cole was the recipient of the Department of Defense’s 2020 Volunteer Excellence Award for his selfless contributions to the Historian’s office. Cole was instrumental in building an unbreakable bond between veterans, MacDill AFB and the greater Tampa Bay community. As a volunteer, he independently led commemorative projects, research interviews, built relationships with veterans groups, including Gold Star families and other fraternal organizations. We salute you Denny Cole!