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Volunteer Appreciation Day honors community samaritans

  • Published
  • By Pascual Flores
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. --  More than 300 joint base community members gathered for the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Day Luncheon June 2, 2015, at Tommy B's community Activities Center here.

In the past year, 900 registered volunteers have provided more than 76,000 hours of service to the joint base. The ceremony honored the hard work and dedication of those who sacrificed their time throughout the year to support the joint base.

"Volunteers, today we recognize you and thank you for all you accomplished this year," said Susan Endres, Military and Family Support Center volunteer coordinator. "Across the joint base community, the power of volunteers is apparent in touching the lives of so many. Without your dedication, we would not be able to provide all of the outstanding services that we currently offer."

The 2015 Military Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Sgt. 1st Class David Wood, 174th Infantry Brigade, a native of Portsmouth, R.I., who dedicated his time to local Veterans of Foreign War posts, Boy Scouts and base beautification projects.

The 2015 Civilian Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Thomas Harrison Dennis lll for his support to Key Spouse programs and events; the base's youth basketball team; and the 87th Medical Group Pharmacy.

"The kids went from being able to just dribble the basketball and have now been able to make their high school basketball teams," said Dennis. "I just wanted to push them to where they can make the team."

Penny Randolph and Jack and Annie Meyers were also recognized for their contributions to the joint base with the Air Force Volunteer Excellence Award.

All volunteers were acknowledged with a round of applause for their selfless service.

"You deserve the warm feeling of doing well," said Maj. Gen. Margaret Boor, 99th Regional Support Command commander and the event's guest speaker. "Thank you for making a difference in the lives of the people you touch on the joint base."