N.D. Guard Volunteer Award winners announced

Courtesy Photo | Toni Anderson, Williston, N.D., was named Volunteer of the Year, which is presented to one volunteer that shows outstanding and exceptional service to the family program. Toni has been a lead member of Family Support for the 818th Engineer Company for more than a decade and volunteers her time with the Family Readiness Group by leading several events.  

BISMARCK, ND, UNITED STATES

04.25.2013

Courtesy Story

North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

BISMARCK, N.D. - The North Dakota National Guard and Joint Family Program recognizes its volunteer award winners this week during National Volunteer Week, thanking their many volunteers that enable the accomplishment of critical missions.

Families of the Year in the N.D. Army and Air National Guard are announced this week and will be presented May 5 in Fargo. A number of volunteers are being recognized for their service as well in these separate categories: Volunteer of the Year, Extra Mile, Community Purple, Gold Award, Youth Volunteer and Youth Development.

"I congratulate our award recipients this year," said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general. "I also thank you for the support you give to our soldiers, airmen and communities on a consistent basis. If it were not for that support, we wouldn't be able to carry out our state and federal missions as effectively as we do. We are all part of a larger Guard family, working and serving together."

Two NDNG families were recognized for the time and energy they have expended helping others. Maj. Mike Mallory and Emily Mallory of Fargo, N.D., were named North Dakota Air National Guard Family of the Year and Sgt. 1st Class Kristel Amundson and Shane Amundson of Reile's Acres, N.D., were named North Dakota Army National Guard Family of the Year.

Both families contributed greatly to the Guard through volunteerism both in the Guard family as well as within their communities.

The Mallory family, which includes two children, juggles their volunteer time in between the shift work that Mike performs at the 119th Wing. Mike is an active member of his church and mentors youth in the community through the soccer club, teaching skills of sportsmanship, teamwork and discipline. Emily is also a soccer coach and den leader as well as a leadership role in the Airman and Family Readiness Program.

The Amundson family is active in their community and Shane has been the treasurer for the 191st Military Police Company Family Readiness Group for the past three years. Kristel works full time for the 231st Brigade Support Battalion as a human resources non-commissioned officer. The Amundsons are also very active in their community. They volunteer at their church, to help area homeless, and for The Salvation Army. Shane is the President of the Reile's Acres Planning and Zoning Committee.

Toni Anderson, Williston, N.D., was named Volunteer of the Year, which is presented to one volunteer that shows outstanding and exceptional service to the family program. Toni has been a lead member of Family Support for the 818th Engineer Company for more than a decade and volunteers her time with the Family Readiness Group by leading several events.

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Jack Tietgens, Fargo, N.D., was given the Extra Mile volunteer award for outstanding and exceptional service to the family program by continuing to serve the Guard through volunteering. He keeps the North Dakota Air National Guard retirees highly involved and informed and as a result the group is a close-knit team. He organized and coordinated volunteer email service for retirees beginning in 2005 and continues today, currently serving 465 retirees.

Lure 'em for Life organization was awarded the Community Purple award, which is given to a community group or organization that best exemplifies the true meaning of the purple concept by working with both Air and Army Guard activities.

Lure 'em for Life partnered with the North Dakota National Guard Child & Youth Program (CYP) to hold a three-day fishing camp for Army and Air Guard Youth ages 8-15 in Garrison, in order to teach children about fishing and the life skills associated with the pursuit of sports and recreational activities - particularly self-discipline, perseverance, decision making and resiliency. A group of 19 dedicated Lure 'em for Life volunteers worked diligently to help plan and organize this camp with the NDNG CYP staff.

Nancy Griffin, Rugby, N.D., as awarded the Gold Award for showing long-term, consistent, and dedicated support to volunteering with the Family Program and volunteering within her community. Nancy drives from Rugby to Camp Grafton, which is a 65-mile, one-way drive to participate and consistently volunteers for additional duties to support the military or families. Nancy co-founded the 2012 Rugby Relay for Life team that raised money for cancer awareness in memory of Sgt. 1st Class Jason Gleason who passed away in 2011 from cancer.

Elizabeth Somdahl, Moorhead, Minn., was given the Youth Volunteer award, which is awarded to National Guard military youth 15-17 years old who exhibits exemplary commitment to and support of the Family Program and involvement within their school and community. Elizabeth is an active member of the Fargo Military Youth Council and as such has volunteered for the Ronald McDonald house. She has volunteered for Operation Military Kids for an event using the mobile tech labs for youth that were going through deployment. There have been multiple other youth events that she has participated in and she continues to volunteer whenever the Youth Council is needed.

First Lt. Catherine Peterson, Bismarck, N.D., was given the Youth Development award for making a significant impact in the development and support of the youth program. Peterson has been involved with the Bismarck Youth Council for the past year by providing assistance in coordinating and facilitating the councils. She assists the youth in discussions, education and community involvement events and always volunteers to help.

• Date Taken: 04.25.2013
• Date Posted: 04.25.2013 17:59
• Story ID: 105853
• Location: BISMARCK, ND, US
• Hometown: BISMARCK, ND, US
• Hometown: FARGO, ND, US
• Hometown: MOORHEAD, MN, US
• Hometown: RUGBY, ND, US
• Hometown: WILLISTON, ND, US