Vance Airman & Family Readiness Center plans to hold volunteer appreciation event

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lynn Aird
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  To recognize the philanthropic efforts of members of Team Vance, the Airman & Family Readiness Center is holding its annual volunteer appreciation event on April 23. 

"In the past we've had some formal ceremonies, but this year we want to do a more casual event so that families and children will feel comfortable being there," said Terri Presa, community resource consultant with the A&FRC. 

This year, the event will be held at Eisenhower elementary school from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and will include an ice cream social. 

Volunteer opportunities at Vance and in the Enid community are numerous. On base, events such as the Special Olympics, the Thrift Shop on Base, and Camp Tomahawk are some of the choices available to those interested in lending a hand. The A&FRC has a list of 30 volunteer organizations in Enid. 

"When you give back to others, it enriches your life. We want all the Team Vance members to be a part of that, so we're sure to brief newcomers and give them a volunteer resource list when they first arrive," explained Ms. Presa. "We see it as a partnership - Vance and the Enid community supporting one another." 

The Enid Public School district has been partnered with Vance for several years through the Adopt-a-School program. Each year the squadrons on base are paired with local schools in an effort to offset the needs of the students. 

"At the beginning of this school year Vance hosted a luncheon for the school principals to hear the schools' needs and figure out what the volunteers could do to help out," said Amber Fitzgerald, director of school and community relations for the Enid Public School district. "We were able to get all but two of the schools adopted." 

Squadron volunteers have participated in activities ranging from afterschool tutoring programs to school maintenance and upkeep. 

"Our Vance volunteers are always flexible and are willing to go wherever the help is needed," said Ms. Fitzgerald. "They recognize that the needs of children change and always rise to the occasion. We're very grateful for that." 

Many Vance volunteers also go back on their own just to spend time in the schools. 

"People from Vance always call, even after the squadron has a school, asking 'Can I help anywhere else?'" explained Ms. Fitzgerald. "They offer to mentor the children in any of the schools, to spend individual time with them. They're excellent role models and we see a tremendous impact on the students, who really benefit from that one-on-one attention." 

Organizations such as the American Red Cross also benefit greatly from volunteerism--there are more than 1 million volunteers nationwide. 

"Our volunteers drive the organization," said Michael Pokorny, deputy director of the Cimarron Valley chapter of the American Red Cross. "Here, we have a corps of about 150. They take the place of individuals we would otherwise have to pay, and are able to offer training and assistance in CPR, first aid, lifeguarding, and disaster relief to name a few." 

Each volunteer receives an initial training course then can either continue to work with the local chapter, can help out with disasters across the state or can offer their services nationally through the Red Cross' deployment center. 

"There's a part of the human spirit that wants to help when we recognize that others are suffering. When someone puts down their day-to-day routine to help others, it says something about them," said Mr. Pokorny. "When everybody does a little piece of the work it makes the overall task that much easier. It all adds up." 

Another local organization that draws the majority of its support from volunteers is Hope Outreach, in particular the Earn While You Learn program. Earn While You Learn teaches free parenting classes to first time mothers and fathers, covering areas such as pre-natal care, post-birth care, discipline and life-skills modules. As an extra incentive, parents earn "mommy and daddy" dollars for each class they visit, which can be redeemed at the baby store inside the center. 

"Volunteers are our lifeblood; we only keep three paid employees in the program," said Anne Price, director of the parenting ministry. "We average about 65 clients a week and usually have around 30 volunteers. We've had several from Vance off and on." 

"Because of the work they do with these groups, and with so many more in the community, we want to recognize all the volunteers we have on the base," explained Ms. Presa. All volunteers are invited to come to the event. 

Although all members of Team Vance are invited, the A&FRC is accepting nominations for the Volunteer Excellence Award, given each year to the Team Vance member who has been an outstanding contributor to the community. Each nomination is reviewed by a panel of three judges, and the winner will be announced at the volunteer appreciation event. Nominations are due to the A&FRC office no later than April 10. 

For more information about the volunteer appreciation event, nominations for the Volunteer Excellence Award, or about volunteer opportunities at Vance or in the Enid community, contact Ms. Terri Presa, 213-7120.