FORT IRWIN, Calif — Thirteen volunteers were recognized on June 19 during Fort Irwin’s annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony, which was broadcast live to the community on Facebook.com/FtIrwin.
Nominees were made up of soldiers, spouses and community members. Leaders and organizers say volunteers play an essential role in installation programs that affect soldiers, families, organizations and installation readiness. Volunteerism stabilizes Army communities by contributing to community cohesion, increasing self-reliance and enhancing the well-being of soldiers and their families.
NTC’s Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Alexandria Paich, who racked up more than 300 volunteer hours while volunteering with the Girls Scouts and several other organizations.
The Family Readiness Group Volunteer Award went to Sarah Lake for her work with the Operations Group’s Sidewinder Team.
“It’s nice that Moral Welfare and Recreation put forth the effort during this (COVID) environment to thank all the volunteers,” Lake said.
Brig. Gen David Lesperance and Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew R. Lowe — Commander and Sergeant Major of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, along with the Garrison Command Team, Col. Jeanette Martin and Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Fedorisin, presented all awards to the volunteers.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Army Community Service specialist Gabriel Taylor, handed the Garrison Command Team a check for $501,527.97 that represented the 20,000 hours that all the dedicated volunteers worked this year.
Congratulations to all of the awardees:
- NTC’s Volunteer of the Year: Alexandria Paich
- 11th Armored Calvary Regiment: Genevieve Null and Lauren Perrill
- Operations Group: Cara Bertozzi
- 916th Sustainment Brigade: Jenny Santos
- Religious Support: Stefanie Cole
- Active Duty Soldier: Ezekiel Jaramillo
- Family and Morale and Welfare and Recreation: Kevin Cyr
- Youth Volunteer: Aubrie Cole
- Outstanding Cub Scout: Rhiannon McWherter
- Volunteer Family: The Shaffer Family
- Family Readiness Group: Sarah Lake, Operations Group, Sidewinder Team
- Honorable Mention: Irene Arregui
- Honorable Mention: Janell Ford
- Honorable Mention: Tehela Allan
- Honorable Mention: Jennifer Lowe
- Honorable Mention: Olivia Templeton
