FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Even in the fast-paced lives of everyday Service members and families, many still want to donate their time and skills in volunteer projects, on and off post. Fortunately, Fort Eustis' Army Volunteer Corps is standing by to help potential volunteers find their calling.
Under the guidance of Donna Cloy, the post's volunteer coordinator, volunteers can sign up for help out a variety of outfits on post, both military and private organizations.
"I work with organizations across the installation to address their needs and to make sure I know what they're looking for. From there I recruit and market for them," Cloy said. "Organizations manage their own volunteer programs, but we assist them by teaching them volunteer management skills and providing orientations to potential volunteers."
When willing volunteers call or visit Army Community Service at Bldg. 650, Cloy said she determines their interests first, and then refers them to what she considers to be organizations meeting their needs. The large number of groups seeking help offers a wide scope of different volunteer positions.
"Some people come into build skills, some don't want anything to do with their normal job, and sometimes people just want to help. We usually have something for everyone," said Cloy. "We want volunteers to do work that is satisfying, and that they find interesting.
"For example, I recently had a Soldier come in who was part of an Exceptional Family Member Program family, and he had a very specific list of things he can and cannot do," she continued. "I called around to several agencies to find suitable opportunities for him."
Cloy uses ArmyOneSource's internet-based Volunteer Management Information System to match applicants with units in need. The VMIS website allows users to browse open volunteer positions by installation. Once registered, users can apply online for the positions, where an organizational point of contact, or OPOC, from the unit will evaluate the applications and select qualified volunteers.
"VMIS is a great recruiting tool. We use it to track volunteer hours also," Cloy said. "Every month, you log your volunteer hours in the system at the end of the month. The OPOC validates your hours, which are on your permanent volunteer record."
"All Army volunteer jobs have position descriptions, and it's very formalized," said Kimberly Dawn, the OPOC for the 221st Military Police Detachment. "You can take your volunteer service record, signed by your OPOC, as a formal Department of Defense document to verify your volunteer work.
"The system has been very helpful in bringing us volunteers," Dawn added. "I've found three volunteers in the past two months to help keep things running in our Family Readiness Group."
Volunteerism gives more than self-satisfaction. Cloy said many employers consider volunteer work as relevant work experience, and could give volunteers a leg up in finding employment.
"It looks great on resumes. A lot of our military spouses out there looking for jobs," she said. "Instead of having big gaps in their resume, volunteering keeps their skills active, keeps them involved in the community and builds their resume."
Cloy said the military is always seeking volunteers to augment their personnel, and for good reason. In 2011, the post's approximate 700 volunteers worked 69,000 hours, and saved the installation $1.3 million in wages.
"There's so much to be done, and the paid staff can't do it alone. The warm, helping hands make such a difference," said Cloy. "They save us a huge amount of money. Some programs wouldn't even exist without volunteers."
Most importantly, Cloy and Dawn said, was the sense of community born out of volunteerism.
"It makes family members feel included, a part of something. They're not just following their military member around," Dawn said. "They feel useful, and in control of their own destiny. It bridges the gap for stay-at-home spouses.
"It's two-pronged. When you move around a lot, it's difficult to make the connection in the community," Cloy added. "But volunteerism is a perfect way to do that. Volunteering helps you get to know the people in your community and really become part of it.
"It gives us a sense of family we sometimes miss in the military lifestyle. It's the connections between people, taking care of each other."
EDITOR'S NOTE: Want to volunteer at Fort Eustis? Call Donna Cloy at
(757) 878-3129, email donna.g.cloy.civ@mail.mil, or register at http://www.myarmyonesource.com and click the "Volunteer Tool" tab to get started. For more information about the Army Volunteer Corps, visit http://www.eustismwr.com/index.php/2011-11-16-17-10-33/army-volunteer-corps.