Volunteers recognized for making a difference to others

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
From April 2006 to March, volunteers have saved RAF Mildenhall approximately $391,020.29, based on research from the independent sector suggesting an estimated dollar value of volunteer time of $18.75 per hour, according to Stephanie Lankowski, 100th Mission Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center.

"Team Mildenhall volunteers are the threads that keep our community strong; they keep us positive and they give us hope that we can meet our challenges together," she said. "Our volunteers are involved in programs including Boy and Girl Scouts, meals-on-wheels, key spouse organization, Airmen Against Drunk Driving, as well as working with squadrons, the library and almost every venue on our base.

"They are filling the gaps in our communities programs and services with their time and generosity, becoming the glue binding together the individuals at Mildenhall," said Ms. Lankowski.

Time after time, the 360 people spend their time making a huge difference to others, by donating their time, support and hard work. More than 20,832 hours have been reported as being worked by the volunteers.

Recognizing that difference, a ceremony and luncheon was held April 14 to thank the volunteers and present awards to many of those freely giving their time for others.
Three different awards were presented - the Volunteer Excellence Award, Very Important Patriot Award, and Angel Award - with four winners in each.

Volunteer Excellence Award
The Volunteer Excellence Award was established to recognize those performing outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct and consequential nature. Federal civilians, family members and military/federal retirees are eligible for nomination. Per Air Force Instruction 36-3009, Airman and Family Readiness Center Program, military personnel are not eligible for this award.

Marlo Melton, 100th Communications Squadron
Mrs. Melton has contributed countless time and services to the Cub Scouts, Pack 215. Her efforts include establishing a budget, revising the private organization constitution, and planning events for Pack 215. She is also a key contributor to the 100th Communications Squadron booster club, assisting in raising over $7,000 for the organization. The award winner also created a welcome CD for all newcomers, in addition to welcome baskets. She served as the secretary for finance on the 2006 Yuletide Bazaar committee, and baked over 9 dozen cookies for dorm residents.
"I chose to volunteer with the Mildenhall Enlisted Spouses Club, Cub Scouts and Equal Employment Opportunities office," said Mrs. Melton. "The MESC is such a wonderful group of women, which does great things for the organizations, families and Airmen on base, as well as supporting our local schools and community. What better way to show we care.
"I give some of my time to the Cub Scouts - these boys are our future," she said. "In a time that is so confusing for them, if I can be there to help them learn the skills needed to succeed in the future, then I feel I have done my job.
"And I choose to give my time to the EEO - everyone deserves to be respected and heard," said Mrs. Melton. "It is worth it to me to be that person who is the sounding board for many, and the voice for those not strong enough to come forward alone."


Other winners of the Volunteer Excellence Award are:
- Paul Keenan, 100th Services Squadron
- Heidi Sobotik, 100th Communications Squadron family member
- Jennifer Sumler, 100th Maintenance Group

Very Important Patriot Award
The Very Important Patriot Award recognizes exceptional volunteers whose outstanding service contributes to improving the quality of life in the RAF Mildenhall and neighboring communities. Active duty, guard, reserve and retired members - and their family members and survivors - of the seven uniformed services are eligible to receive this award. Consideration is given to the effect the candidate has had on the community in relation to the time the candidate has lived in the community. The nominee must be performing services on a volunteer basis, not as part of a tasking, and may not result in personal gain.

Yolanda Petosky, 100th Air Refueling Wing family member
Mrs. Petosky volunteers as a legal receptionist at the 100th Air Refueling Wing Judge Advocate Office. She has donated over 1,200 hours, allowing assigned personnel to concentrate on their primary duties. Her numerous volunteer efforts include screening clients, receiving requests for legal review, managing Web-based suspense systems, preparing legal documents, serving as a witness enabling "one-day-wills," and assisting in authorizing several documents. Mrs. Petosky is described as extremely professional, with an exceptional attitude and service. The nominator said, "Yolanda has established herself as a first-rate, all-round legal technician."
"Initially, I volunteered as I needed something to keep myself busy and I was interested in the legal profession. Now I volunteer because, while I still maintain my interest in legal, I love my office and the people who I work for. I would like to eventually become a judge advocate, and I felt this was the best way for me to learn the ins and outs of that particular profession," said Mrs. Petosky.
"I like how I can be of assistance to the customer; I help out deployers an awful lot and it really makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something at the end of the day. I can help them do what they need to do, as well as helping out anyone who has access to us. I also like the flexibility of the hours and I like working with the attornies and paralegals, as they are very knowledgeable.
"It's incalculable how much I've learned since working here," she said. "I've learned so much about the military and the legal profession - I want to be an officer, so the knowledge I've picked up about the military will help me out in the (legal) career field, as well as learning how to deal with situations and think quickly on my feet. The people that are here are so excellent at their job, even if I don't go into the Air Force, I'll still be able to take the information with me.
"It's important to me to feel like I'm supporting the base and the military because I get support from both of them; also I know the budget is tight, so I'm more than happy to help out," Mrs. Petosky said.


Other winners of the Very Important Patriot Award are:
- Senior Master Sgt. David Steele, 100th Communications Squadron
- Master Sgt. Tracy Brookens, 95th Reconnaissance Squadron
- Master Sgt. William Cobb, 100th Maintenance Squadron

Angel Award
The Angel award is presented to individuals who are enthusiastically engaged in pursuing volunteerism, charity and good deeds. It is based on the total endeavors of the volunteer, including exceptional volunteer service, community involvement and selfless contributions that have enhanced the quality of life at RAF Mildenhall. Any members of the RAF Mildenhall community, including British nationals and Ministry of Defence employees, who are enthusiastically engaged in pursuing volunteerism, charity and good in any organization are eligible.

Margaret McCrea, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron family member
Mrs. McCrea is a supervisor at the RAF Mildenhall Community Closet. She has donated over 350 hours of service at the community closet, helping Airmen and families with supplies. Additionally, she is an active member of The Friends of Beck Row School (parent-teacher association) organizing clothing drives, school fairs, raffles, bonfire nights and social events. She is a "Team CE" volunteer and served on the 2006 Yuletide Bazaar committee.
"I started helping at the Community Closet during PCS season as they were short-handed - and they've never let me leave since," said Margaret McCrea. "I've worked here almost two years now; it's fun and I've met a whole bunch of different people. It makes you feel really helpful when people come in needing things, like when their PCS shipment is late and they need items until their stuff comes in. We've also had a couple of retirees come in who've had house fires and needed everything. It makes you think, if we weren't here, all this stuff would be in landfill - and it's perfectly good stuff.
"Everyone who comes in here is very friendly, and when people do come in here, everybody benefits," she said.
"Margaret is just unbelievable," said Karen McManus, Community Closet manager, and nominator of Mrs. McCrea's Angel Award. "She helps anyone she happens to meet - it doesn't have to be someone she's known for a long time; even if she's just met you, she'll help you out. Margaret has done more for the community than anyone else I've ever met."

Other winners of the Angel Award are:
- Steven Perry, 100th CES
- Angella Herrmann, 3rd Air Force key spouse
- Karin Gary, 100th SVS key spouse

Congratulations to all the Team Mildenhall volunteer award winners, and thank you to all those who volunteer. For more information on volunteering, contact Stephanie Lankowski at 238-5170.
(Volunteer award information provided by the Airman & Family Readiness Center)