JBER recognizes volunteers giving back to the community

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON — Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson hosted a celebration of volunteers and their hard work April 17 at the Arctic Warrior Event Center.

The Annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony recognized the efforts of over 600 Airmen, Soldiers, dependents and civilians who volunteered a cumulative 48,936 hours to the installation and Anchorage community. Awards are given to those who have gone above and beyond to volunteer their time to give back to JBER and the local community.

“Just as time is money, every volunteer hour given equates to a cost in US dollars,” said Adele Daniels, School Liaison Program manager. “Per calendar year 2023, as determined by the Points of Light nonprofit, one volunteer hour given equals $31.80. Your combined JBER community volunteer efforts amassed 48,936 hours – valued at $1,556,180. What a tremendous effort on everyone’s part to enrich our community through your commitment and dedication.”

The ceremony is hosted annually to recognize the efforts of volunteers on base and in the Anchorage community. This year, 15 awards were presented.

“Personally, I volunteer because I enjoy doing JBADD and I like that I can save [someone’s] career,” said Airman 1st Class Herold Orphee, a volunteer with Joint Base Against Drunk Driving, an organization that provides rides free of charge from downtown Anchorage back onto base. The organization received the 2023 Group Volunteer of the Year award.

Below are the award winners of 2023:

2023 Family Volunteer of the Year: The Smoot Family, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division; 2023 Civilian Volunteer of the Year: Marco Degois, 773d Logistics Readiness Squadron; 2023 Youth Volunteer of the Year: Maddison Battenberg, 673d Force Support Squadron; 2023 Military Volunteer of the Year: Airman 1st Class Daysha Bush, 673d Force Support Squadron; 2023 Group Volunteer of the Year: Joint Base Against Drunk Driving; 2023 Outstanding Volunteer Service: JBER Community Club; 2023 673d ABW Key Spouse of the Year: Kenzie Easter; 2023 3d Wing Key Spouse of the Year: Amber Peck; 2023 Joan Orr Air Force Award: Kelly Adams; 2023 Soldier and Family Readiness Group Leader of the Year, 725th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division: Amber Banks, Andrew Wagner; 2023 Soldier and Family Readiness Group Leader of the Year, 6th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division: Rachel Humphreys, Julia Thao; Presidential Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award Winners: Raul Rovira, Joseph Principe