National Volunteer Week: celebrating those who 'inspire by example'

  • Published
  • By Vickie Jo Ryder
  • D-M Airman and Family Readiness Center
Compassion, charity, champions, support, and pride - these are but a few of the characteristics defining volunteers. Our Desert Lightning Team is full of people with inspiring by example by doing extraordinary things to help others, while making a positive difference in our community. 

In 2006, D-M produced more than 1,000 volunteers providing more than 47,000 hours of service to our installation and community. National Volunteer Week is a time to recognize and celebrate the efforts of all of our volunteers.

National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteering. Every president since has signed additional proclamations promoting the event.

Throughout the past year, our team of volunteers has dedicated their service to numerous others in need, from our own Desert Lightning families to refugees and orphans in war-torn countries. Volunteers' efforts are instrumental to several programs around the installation, including the Chapel, Airman & Family Readiness Center, youth programs, Airmen's Attic, Starbase AZ, and Retiree Activities Office. Outside the base, D-M volunteers have assisted programs like Meals on Wheels, Adopt A Street, Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics and Community Food Banks.

How can you become a volunteer? Simple - the AFRC is sponsoring a volunteer fair on Tues, 17 April from 1100-1300 at the DM Community. This fair is meant to help anyone interested in volunteerism to connect with DM and our local communities' volunteer organizations. Several organizations are slated to attend, including:

Muscular Dystrophy Association
Habitat for Humanity
American Red Cross
VA Medical Center
Literacy Volunteers of Tucson
Mobile Meals
Special Olympics
Komen Foundation: Race for the Cure
Casa de los Ninos
Community Food Bank
Pima Air & Space Museum
Family Services
Retiree Activities Office
Make a Wish Foundation

For more information, please contact Vickie Jo Ryder at 228-6017.