Volunteers recognized for supporting Kirtland, local communities

  • Published
  • By Kendahl Johnson
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Two Kirtland individuals were recognized with awards at the Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony for their countless hours in volunteering in the base and local communities.

Master Sgt. Wayne Sharp of the 377th Security Forces Group became the first Kirtland recipient of the Military Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award. The award is given to a service member who has provided outstanding support of community activities to include the military community. This is the first year Kirtland will be presenting this award.

"For me it's not specifically about 'volunteering,' it's about finding opportunities to be involved and to give something back," Sharp said. "While it is definitely an honor to receive this award, you don't volunteer to be recognized."

Sharp has been actively involved in various volunteer activities throughout the past 16 months, both at Kirtland and throughout the Albuquerque community. He has worked with various Kirtland Youth Programs, including coaching basketball, and has volunteered at numerous Sandia Base Elementary activities. He's been a Scout liaison and has worked at the Roadrunner Food Bank. He's coordinated the Kirtland Against Drunk Driving efforts on multiple occasions and has chaired several committees.

He said his goal is to continue to volunteer, but also to work towards creating more volunteer opportunities for others.

Louise Kelefian received this year's Volunteer Excellence Award, which recognizes exceptional long-term community support. To be eligible, an individual's service must be performed either in the local civilian community, or the military family community, and must be "significant in character, produce tangible results and reflect favorably on the Air Force."

Kelefian said she was inspired to become more involved when her mother recently passed away.

"I didn't feel like I was doing enough to give back," she said. "I wanted to be selfless and to experience doing things for others without expecting something in return."

She works in the after school reading program at the youth center and volunteers at Sandia Base Elementary three to four times a week. She is involved with the Veterans to Farmers program and has spent time at the food bank and the humane society. She recently spent more than 80 hours volunteering in the base tax center.

Kelefian, who retired from 24 years of military service in 2012, said she is appreciative of the award and hopes to continue to volunteer every chance she gets.