Team Seymour celebrates its volunteers

U.S. Air Force Col. Jeannie Leavitt, 4th Fighter Wing commander, left, presents Airman 1st Class Samantha Overdear, 4th Contracting Squadron contract specialist with the Gold Presidential Service Award, April 9, 2014, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. This award was presented to Overdear for her services with Airmen Against Drunk Driving, where she volunteered more than 270 hours. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Shawna L. Keyes)

Team Seymour celebrates its volunteers

U.S. Air Force Col. Jeannie Leavitt, 4th Fighter Wing commander, left, presents Senior Master Sgt. Joseph Braden, 4th Components Maintenance Squadron assistance maintenance superintendent with the Bronze Presidential Service Award, April 9, 2014, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. Braden was also presented the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for his volunteer efforts from 2007 through 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Shawna L. Keyes)

Team Seymour celebrates its volunteers

Published April 15, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Shawna L. Keyes
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The 4th Support Squadron's Airman and Family Readiness Center in conjunction with the Volunteer Advisory Committee hosted a volunteer appreciation ice cream social, April 9, at Heritage Hall, here.

Approximately 150 Team Seymour members attended the annual event which recognized those who selflessly donated their time over the past year through volunteerism in the local and base communities.

During the social, 36 members assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing were awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award. The award was established in 2003 as a way to thank and honor those who inspire others to participate in volunteer services.

Among the recipients was Airman 1st Class Samantha Overdear, 4th Contracting Squadron contract specialist. She received the award for volunteering more than 270 hours in the local community.

Overdear says that volunteering has given her a sense of fulfillment because she is helping others.

"There are so many people out there you can help," said Overdear. "You truly don't realize how much of a difference just a little effort on your part can make to the community. It's a very humbling experience to volunteer."

According to Sherry Kindlesparker, AFRC community readiness consultant, Airmen assigned to Seymour Johnson volunteered more than 8,000 hours in 2013.

Representatives of agencies who receive Airman volunteers also expressed their gratefulness for their willingness to help the community.

Margaret Taflinger, American Red Cross senior volunteer says it means a lot to have the military be such a large part of our volunteer pool, whether it's active duty, retirees or their spouses.

"This social is a great way of saying thank you to all those people that sacrifice their own time to help others," said Taflinger.

The social was also held to celebrate of Volunteer Appreciation Week, which runs April 6 through 13. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the nationally recognized week.

"National Volunteer Week is about engaging with the community," said Kindlesparker. "It's about demonstrating to the nation that by working together we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals."