USAG Bavaria recognizes 700 volunteers

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — Army Community Service (ACS) teams across U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria recognized volunteers at their 55th birthday celebration, over this past week. Volunteers — made up of Soldiers, family members and Army civilians — maintained a safe physical distance while enjoying games, sweet treats and an award ceremony. The events occurred on July 24 and July 29, at the ACS yards on Rose Barracks and Hohenfels respectively.

Fifty-five years ago, ACS was founded to provide Soldiers and dependents with a network of social services. And according to the organization, more than 700 volunteers in the USAG Bavaria footprint — which includes Tower Barracks, Rose Barracks, Hohenfels and Garmsich — collectively logged over 8,000 hours every month to support the community.

“Across the garrison, we have hundreds of volunteers that make our community a better place to live,” said Katie Glover, program specialist with ACS Rose Barracks. “Due to COVID, we switched our official recognition to a virtual announcement, but we wanted to do more to thank our volunteers. Across ACS, we feel that the 55th birthday celebration is a great day to say ‘thank you.’”

A core value USAG Bavaria volunteers share is the immense drive to give back to the community.

On Rose and Tower Barracks, Sean Haight, also well known by the alias “Taco,” was selected as the Family Member Volunteer of the Year. Haight spent over two years tirelessly volunteering, according to USO Bavaira — his nominator organization.

“I’ve been going to the USO for 27 years in the military,” said Haight. “Now coming here, with my wife being on active duty, I want to give back to USO and the community.”

Robert Thomas, an accounting technician at the Army Lodging Vilseck, uses his skills outside work to volunteer as a budget counselor with ACS. He says he loves to share his knowledge with the community and help others.

“Hard work and dedication pays off in the long way,” said Thomas. “Just keep pushing.”

See full article here: https://www.bavariannews.com/blog/2020/07/31/usag-bavaria-recognizes-700-volunteers/