Wing recognizes volunteer efforts

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Matt Summers
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Base residents volunteered more than 16,000 hours in 2008, the equivalent of more than $300K in salaries, to support a myriad of programs ranging from youth sports to the Airman's Attic. 

The folks most often behind the scenes at countless base events got their chance to shine during Yokota's Annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony May 6 at the officers' club.
 
"It's nice to have the opportunity to recognize this important group of folks who do so much for the community," said Col. Frank Eppich, 374th Airlift Wing vice commander. "They don't ask for anything in return and a lot of the time we don't even know they're doing it." 

Guest speaker Teresa Negley, an active volunteer at Yokota, said the lack of any special skills shouldn't keep people from making a difference in the local community. 

"Often all they need to do is stand along a guiding line, provide a cup of water or cheer people on to give them a boost of confidence," she said. "And if someone is not a 'people' person and more of an introvert, he or she can still make a difference by handling publicity, taking photos or doing research." 

Capt. Barron Tompkins, 515th Air Mobility Operations Group, won volunteer of the year honors in the military category for his work as the junior high youth director of the Lost and Found youth group at the base's traditional chapel. He leads more than 40 youth in weekly activities, retreats and trips around Japan. 

"I do it just because I care about the kids," said the captain, who previously served as an assistant director prior to the former director's departure. "I felt the Lord put me in a spot where I could stand up and take the reins. 
"The kids are fantastic - they all want to be there ... they all want to learn," he added. 

One of four local nationals recognized for volunteerism, Ayako Yashiro, has been giving of her time and money to Yokota and local communities for more than 25 years. She began volunteering at Tachikawa Air Base, which closed in 1977, and spent more than 500 hours of her time last year helping others. 

"My only aim is to volunteer," said Ms. Yashiro, who volunteered 200 hours as a culture liaison with the Airman and Family Readiness Center. "I always spend time on people, it gives me pleasure." 

Twelve individuals and one group were recognized as volunteers of the year and volunteer award winners. 

Jessica Claxton, Jack Knight and Travis Pugh received Air Force Volunteer Excellence Awards for performing outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct and consequential nature. The award is intended to recognize exceptional, long term community support and is only awarded to an individual once in a lifetime, according to Air Force instructions. 

The Yokota Officers' Spouses Club received the Samurai Spirit Award, designed to recognize military units or private organizations whose service benefits the base or local community. 

Other individual volunteer of the year award winners were:
Military category - Senior Master Sgt. Warren Ary
Nonmilitary fulltime employed category - Tamara Lewis-Ibrahim
Nonmilitary part-time/not employed category - Melissa Rendon and Diane Baker
Host country national category - Namiko Mitsuhashi, Kikumi Nozaki and Keiko Sono