Yokota Airman recognized with Zenkokai Award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katrina R. Menchaca
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Beginning in 1951, the Good Deed Association of Japan (Nippon Zenkokai) has acknowledged those who perform and promote good deeds in their communities and neighborhoods throughout Japan.

Five Airmen from Yokota received the Zenkokai award at the organization's 60th annual presentation ceremony held May 22 in the Sanshu-den Hall of the Meiji Shrine.

"These [Team Yokota] members were presented awards for their efforts to encourage good conduct and enhance warm mutual relationships among members of society," according to Mr. Kosho Kawamura, President Japan Good Deed Association.

Master Sgt. Erik Waugaman, 374th Operations Support Squadron station chief, received the award in the categories of accident prevention and life saving. Sergeant Waugaman arranged for more than 1,000 volunteers to cover 208 shifts over 104 nights and 832 hours to transport Air Force members, dependents, and host country nationals home safely. In all, there were 2,300 pick-ups that provided 4,712 individuals safe transportation home after alcohol consumption.

He also took the initiative and found the 225-RIDE program its own facility for operations. Prior to his efforts the program operated out of a dorm room. He was able to persuade local merchants to donate furniture, internet access and radios to enhance volunteer comfort while bolstering the number of new volunteers.

Staff Sgt. Abifarin Scott, 374th Communications Squadron NCO in charge of plans and programs, received the award in the categories of social welfare, support and guidance of youth.

Sergeant Scott co-instituted the first ever mentor/tutoring program at Camp Zama's Arnn Elementary. Along with another co-worker, he created a program in which United States Air Force members could volunteer an unlimited number of hours to assist specific students in areas of need.

For the last four years Sergeant Scott has volunteered for the Arnn Elementary Groundhog Job Shadow Day mentor program, mentoring 6th grade students using the Air Force as his career.

He has given Camp Zama's community of schools 150 hours of community service, and volunteered as a youth sports coach.

He is the current Vice President of the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Beta Pi Omega chapter. Since the chapter's constitution confirmation in February 2009, Sergeant Scott has been the driving force behind the chapter's devotion to the community. His chapter has adopted two orphanages in nearby Kanagawa-Ken.

Staff Sgt. Howard W. Kraft and Senior Airman Matthew Lopez both Age journeymen from the 374th Maintenance Squadron received the award in the category of social welfare support.

In 2008, Sergeant Kraft began organizing bi-monthly Shisei Gakuen Orphanage visits. During each visit he escorted approximately 10-15 Airmen from the 374 MXS to visit the orphanage.
In May 2009, Airman Lopez started assisting Sergeant Kraft with the bi-monthly trip organization.

They assembled groups to interact with and participate in activities with the children of the orphanage. Additionally, they purchased and delivered hundreds of dollars worth of toys to the orphanage to enhance the daily lives of the children.

Another aspect of their generosity and their positive impact on the children was the fact each visit included some sort of treat for the children to include candy, drinks or other food items.

Even further, these two men and their volunteers would frequently play soccer, kickball or dodge ball with the children ensuring the children received some form of fitness and learned valuable lessons about being good sportsmen in competition.

Staff Sgt. Katrina Young, 374th Medical Operations Squadron medical technician, received the award for her contribution in the categories of public life, environment beautification, social welfare support, and good neighborhood categories.

Sergeant Young has spent 15 hours helping the staff of a local Fussa nursing home serve refreshments to the residents during tea and snack time. Additionally, she has spent numerous hours enhancing the patients' outlook by singing to them and ensuring that their windows are clean so they can see outside.

"Volunteering, to me, means giving from the heart. It's heart service, and it's the best kind of service," said Sergeant Young. "Doing for others what they cannot do for themselves or helping others accomplish something that is meaningful to them is rewarding to both the giver and the receiver."
 
For the past two years, she has been involved in the planning of the annual Girl's Camp for approximately 25 plus young women ages 12 to 18, from Misawa, Iwakuni, Yokota, Zama and Yokosuka.

According to Sergeant Young, ""Volunteering is the best of ways to add to one's happiness. Being recognized by the government of (Japan) is an honor not only to me but also to the military in general."

She has contributed her time and energy in donating food to 15 homeless families living along the Tama River. She also teaches English to five children weekly in her Akiruno community class--free of charge.

The award was originally only available for Japanese nationals. A foreigners' category was added to the award in 1955 as the number of foreigners increased. This year a total of 104 individuals and 83 groups were recognized for the award. In addition, a special award was presented to 73-individual and 9 groups to celebrate the association's 60th anniversary.

"This award, at least in some defining respect, signifies the ongoing, positive relations between the U.S. and Japan," said Sergeant Young. "It was such a special experience to receive the Zenkokai Award."