FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
The Volunteer of the Quarter Ceremony for the third quarter was hosted by Col. Thomas Wetherington, 733rd Mission Support Group commander, July 25 at the Soldier and Family Readiness Center on Fort Eustis. Each volunteer organization selects their Volunteer of the Quarter - the person they feel has had a significant impact on the organization for the designated time frame.
Volunteers play a vital role in supporting community organizations. This ceremony is a way for the community to recognize the dedication and commitment of these volunteers.
Volunteers of the Quarter
Danitza James - Ms. James is the Volunteer of the Quarter for the 24th Transportation Battalion. She planned and organized an Easter Egg Extravaganza for the 2th and 53rd3 Trans. Battalions. The event was attended by nine different companies and detachments with more than 300 family members in attendance. She coordinated with United Services Organization to receive Easter treats for the children, purchased barbecue items, coordinated with each unit to schedule various games and activities, and planned and organized an Easer Egg hunt for various age groups. This event provided an opportunity to build esprit de corps for the battalions' Soldiers and families.
Marie-Jeanne Goodrich - Ms. Goodrich is the Volunteer of the Quarter for 10th Trans. Bn. She serves as the Family Readiness Group leader for the 359th Inland Cargo Transfer Company. Ms. Goodrich has dedicated many volunteer hours working to establish the company FRG. She recruited volunteers for the FRG using marketing materials and concepts she developed and produced, which included establishing the company Facebook page. She worked to raise more than $1,000 for FRG funds within a one-week period in June. Ms. Goodrich maintains a close working relation with the company command team, the FRG liaison and the Family Readiness Support Assistant.
Shannon Whiteley - Ms. Whiteley is the Volunteer of the Quarter for the Special Troops Battalion. She serves as the FRG leader for the 510th Human Resource Co. As the FRG leader, Ms. Whiteley played a vital part in the redeployment and reintegration of more than 120 of the company's Soldiers. She was responsible for giving timely and accurate information about the redeployment ceremonies and worked to provide a welcoming atmosphere during the redeployment ceremonies. She also worked to make single Soldiers feel welcome by decorating their rooms and leaving gift bags on their beds welcoming them back from deployment.
Dana Zevecke - Ms. Zevecke is the Volunteer of the Quarter for 6th Trans. Bn. She serves as the FRG leader for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 6th Trans. Bn. Ms. Zevecke took over the FRG leader position as the company prepared for overseas deployment. She immediately took charge and began building the FRG to meet the needs of the company. She works diligently to ensure that each member of the FRG receives information and help that is available while the unit is deployed. Ms. Zevecke has a genuine concern for each family member of the company and works to ensure that their needs are met.
Brianna Fowlkes - Ms. Fowlkes was the Volunteer of the Quarter for CYSS for volunteering with the Middle School Teen program. Ms. Fowlkes' main focus as a youth volunteer is helping with the day-to-day activities around the teen center. As summer approached, she was there to assist staff members and to answer questions from other youth. Ms. Fowlkes' leadership and ability to inspire ensured that the Mother's Day celebration and the June Lock-In were successful.
Julie Yates - Ms. Yates is the Volunteer of the Quarter for Soldier and Family Readiness, formerly known as Army Community Service. Ms. Yates is a very active volunteer. She serves as Co-Volunteer Program Manager for Army Family Team Building. As the Co- Volunteer Program Manager, she recruits volunteer instructors, prepares class materials, sets up the training room for AFTB classes, teaches classes when instructors are not available, manages student records and maintains AFTB files. Ms. Yates also volunteers with the Army Family Action Plan program. This year she has volunteered to be an issue support person for the annual AFAP Conference, and is also a greeter at the front desk where she welcomes customers and ensures that their needs are met as soon as possible.
Pat Thornton - Ms. Thornton is the Volunteer of the Quarter for the Spouses Club of Fort Eustis. She serves as the Consignment Shop liaison on the Spouses Club board. Ms. Thornton volunteers on the two days each week that the Consignment Shop is open. She also comes in to clean and reorganize and restock so the shop is ready for operation. Ms. Thornton rewrote the Consignment Shop standard operating procedures, ensuring compliance with Virginia law, and the Spouses Club bylaws and constitution. Her dedication as the liaison significantly contributed to the successful operation of the Consignment Shop.
For more information on the Volunteer of the Quarter program or volunteering at Fort Eustis, call 878-3129.