Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Eliverto Larios | The Joint Base Lewis-McChord Volunteers of the Year are recognized during the Joint...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. — Staff Sgt. Sheldon Boyajean first started volunteering in 2011as a coach for the Community Youth Services.
Since then, he has become a familiar face at the Rainier Elementary School, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. His services at the school go beyond just helping with events.
His idea to have more male role models led to the introduction of a program that allows fathers to volunteer at their children’s schools.
For Liza Schoeberl, volunteer work began with a batch of cupcakes for one of her husband’s unit functions.
It quickly turned into volunteering more and more to support Soldiers.
She has served as the Lewis Community Spouses Club Hospitality Chair and was a key player in planning the first JBLM Military Intelligence Ball in nearly a decade.
“I just took one step at a time, and it just grew from there,” Schoeberl said. “Volunteering for me is giving hope.”
These volunteers were among the 12 civilians and Service Members honored for placing their communities’ needs before their own, at this year’s JBLM Volunteer Recognition Luncheon and Awards Ceremony, April 28.
The JBLM Volunteer of the Year Program honors nominated personnel who have shown dedication through countless hours of volunteer work in and around the installation.
“As we face some fiscal reduction that we are going through, the volunteerism that we need is absolutely essential to the readiness of this installation,” said Col. Daniel Morgan, JBLM installation commander. “The volunteerism is the backbone of our community whether on or off the installation and whether you are in the military or not.”
During the ceremony, Morgan, Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, I Corps commanding general, and Col. Leonard Kosinski, 62nd Airlift Wing commanding general, received a check in the amount of $3,662,231.94.
“This check represents the total numbers of hours contributed in 2015 by our JBLM volunteers,” said William Harvey, director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Program.
For Boyajean, an operations sergeant with the 504th Military Police Battalion, service to his country was an inspiration to start volunteering.“I’ve been in 15 years, and I have been gone so many times,” said Boyajean. “I wanted to just give back to the community and volunteer my time into helping to maybe take a little ease off of that parent who is deployed.”
Schoeberl had no idea she would be receiving this year’s Volunteer of the Year award but is thankful for being recognized.
“I have things to offer of value,” she said. “I love to share that with others to encourage them to do better to want better and to be inspired.”
There are many different reasons people volunteer. Whether it’s dressing up as Rainier the Panther or taking a batch of cupcakes to a unit potluck, these individuals impact the community.
“The history of volunteerism continues to be made with remarkable individuals who strive to make a difference and improve the quality of military life and their community,” said Harvey. “JBLM is fortunate to have many volunteers providing a positive impact daily.”
| Date Taken: | 04.29.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.29.2016 17:49 |
| Story ID: | 196952 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 118 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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