Sweet social highlights volunteers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The Volunteer Advisory Committee recognized 19 of Seymour Johnson's noteworthy volunteers who go above and beyond during an ice cream social here April 22.

The social is an annual event held during National Volunteer Appreciation Week to applaud those who so selflessly donate their time.

"Volunteers really make a difference in our families' lives, but they also help the mission" said Col. William Thomas, 4th Mission Support Group commander. "We cannot accomplish our mission without our volunteers. They are really that big of a deal and they are very much appreciated."

Throughout the last year, members of Team Seymour volunteered 36,329.61 hours, saving the base and local community approximately $735,674.60, said Regina Hinojosa, Airman and Family Readiness Center volunteer program manager. Many Airmen spend their time helping organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, Volunteers for Vets, the Special Olympics, Meals on Wheels and the Community Soup Kitchen of Goldsboro.

During the social, the Volunteer Advisory Committee presented the Presidential Service Award to qualified do-gooders.

There are three levels of this award for children under the age of 14: bronze, silver and gold for those who served 50 to 100 or more hours. Sabrina Pralle, daughter of Tech. Sgt. Greggory Pralle of the 911th Air Refueling Squadron, earned the children's Bronze Presidential Service Award with 66 volunteer hours.

There are three adult levels for the Presidential Service Award: bronze, silver and gold for those who served 100 to 1,000 or more hours.

Bronze Presidential Service Award recipients
Jennifer Ward, 118 hours
Tech. Sgt. Greggory Pralle, 911th Air Refueling Squadron, 135 hours
Vonda Seia, 143 hours
Mary Louse Essing, 144 hours
Senior Master Sgt. Steven Browning, 911th ARS, 144 hours
Staff Sgt. Jarrod Deredita, 4th Communications Squadron, 160 hours
Sue Kessling, 187 hours
Senior Airman Tommy Barnett, 4th Component Maintenance Squadron, 200 hours

Silver Presidential Service Award recipients
Ingrid Quick, 271 hours
Grace Browning, 372 hours

Gold Presidential Service Award recipients
Sara McIntire, 642 hours
Kim Schinsky, 723 hours
Lisa McClain, 726 hours
Emily Haffner, 903 hours

The President's Call to Service Lifetime Achievement Award honors those who provided more than 4,000 hours of volunteer service to the community over the course of their lifetime.

Lifetime Achievement Award recipients
Rachel Sutton
Doris Petrak
Ida Fryar
Connie Booth

The final award of the event, the 2010 Volunteer Excellence Award, went to Mrs. McClain who worked with the Airman's Attic, Thrift Shop and the wing commander's Key Spouse Program.

For those looking for the opportunity to volunteer on base and out in the community, a base-wide e-mail advertising upcoming events is sent weekly, or call the Volunteer Advisory Council at 722-1123.