Golden Age Games need volunteers

  • Published
  • By Mercy López-Acosta
  • Kirtland Public Affairs
Albuquerque will host the 32nd annual National Veterans Golden Age Games in August and, to make this event happen, 2,500 volunteers are needed. The games take place Aug. 3-8 at various locations across the Albuquerque metro area.

In an effort to help with volunteers, 377th Air Base Wing Commander Col. Richard W. Gibbs has declared the events as an alternate duty location for 377th Air Base Wing members.

“We are asking active duty, National Guard, Reservists, and civilians to volunteer their time to help with the games,” said Staff Sgt. Jon “Ringo” Ringenoldus, who is spearheading the volunteer effort for Team Kirtland.

He added that volunteers must be older than 16 and may be family members of Airmen. He is hoping to get 250 volunteers from Kirtland to help with the 93 events taking place across 10 locations in Albuquerque.

“The 250 volunteers will be able to help with any position that is available during the event,” Ringenoldus said. “The main games themselves from August 4 through August 8. On August 3rd, we need 30 uniformed personnel to help with the meet and greet at the airport with all the veteran athletes who are coming in.

Competitive events at this year’s games include air rifle, badminton, basketball, boccia, bowling, cycling, blind disc golf, golf, horseshoes, nine ball, pickleball, power walk, shuffleboard, swimming, table tennis and track and field. While exhibition events include air pistol, archery and floor ball.

“If a volunteer is really interested in bowling they can help specifically with that event,” he said. “The volunteers that we are looking for are not necessarily to help set-up the event, they are there to coordinate with the officials who are judging it with scorekeeping and helping the athletes — just overall support for that particular event itself.”

Airmen with the 377th Air Base Wing may use their volunteer time as an alternate duty station as per the directive of Col. Gibbs. To do so, Airmen must go through their supervisor.

“He did authorize active duty to use that time as an alternative duty station,” Ringenoldus said.

To volunteer, visit https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=174952917.

Ringenoldus said Team Kirtland members must put “Group Name” as “KAFB” to allow officials to track Kirtland volunteers.

“It is a national event that is coming to Albuquerque this year,” he said. “It is going to be a great event. We can get some advice and guidance from these veterans. By volunteering, it shows that we support them as much as they are supporting us.”

For more information, please contact Staff Sgt. Ringenoldus at jonchristian.ringenoldus.mil@mail.mil, or Tech. Sgt. Kendrick Valdo at kendrick.valdo@us.af.mil.