Kirtland shows appreciation for volunteers

  • Published
  • By Lee Ross
  • Nucleus editor
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Team Kirtland honored the vital contributions volunteers make. The ceremony was held April 16 at the Mountain View Club. Col. Lance Kawane, vice commander for the 377th Air Base Wing, emphasized the important job local volunteers do.

"Our Air Force is getting smaller, and we can't do what we do without the volunteers here," he said. "From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you."

The civilian volunteer winner was Sarah Proctor, who served as a key spouse for the technical training school, coordinating 16 events for 42 spouses and approximately 100 students.

She also relayed information for three emergency room visits, including a healthy birth, coordinates potlucks, volunteers as treasurer for the Community of Montessori Parents association, helps clean and organize an Albuquerque Ronald McDonald House and bakes cookies for the families that use the families in need.

Proctor's non-stop devotion to volunteering her time and energy directly impacts the base, the local schools, families in need, and the city.

This year, Proctor has volunteered more than 1,200 hours of her time to help the communities in Kirtland and Albuquerque.

Col. Dagvin Anderson, 58th Special Operations Wing commander, nominated Proctor for the honor. He said he is thrilled she is being recognized.

"She has really gone above and beyond to support family members during deployments and let people know that 'This will end. Your loved one will get through this and we'll support you. Stay with us,'" he said.

Ray Burton, Airman and Family Readiness Center chief, said volunteers can be found at nearly every level and play a vital role at the base.

"We could not perform our duties at such a high level without their support and the many hours of volunteer service they give," he said.

Erica Wallace, community readiness consultant with the Airman and Family Readiness Center, said most volunteers don't even want to be recognized for what they do.

"Some of them don't want to come to this event. People don't even want a certificate," she said. "That's what volunteers do. They just want to do the work."