Teens go up for ‘Volunteer of the Year’ – National Volunteer Week, April 18 to 24

***image1******image2***The saying, “youth is wasted on the young,” does not apply to Jessica, 18, and Jamilah, 14.
They are volunteers, and to the organizations that receive their time, it is not wasted. Together, they have accumulated almost 1,500 hours helping KMC organizations and agencies, and both are being nominated for Volunteer of the Year.
Jessica is nominated for the Exceptional Youth Volunteer of the Year through the Ramstein Family Support Center’s Volunteer Resource Program. Jamilah is going up against youth and adult volunteers through the Army Community Service’s Installation Volunteer Program.
“I volunteer because it gives me the opportunity to meet new people and gives me a chance to get more involved in the community,” said Jessica, a senior at Ramstein American High School.
She volunteers at the Ramstein Education Office for 10 to 15 hours a week, Ramstein American Middle School for five to eight hours a week and Ramstein Youth Services for eight to 10 hours a week. Jessica also volunteers with the American Red Cross, logging in 381 hours this year.
“Jessica sets the bar for volunteer excellence, and she is an invaluable part of our Combat Education team,” said Dr. Barbara McNeely Foraker, deputy education services officer, Ramstein Education Office, 435th Mission Support Squadron. “Her contributions impact the full gamut of education responsibilities from developing outreach materials to providing stellar customer service.”
“I volunteer because I am helping out my community which is also supporting me in whatever I’m doing,” said Jamilah, an eighth-grader at Landstuhl Elementary and Middle School.
Jamilah has volunteered for Landstuhl’s Torch Club, a youth leadership club, for three years, earning the 415th BSB Installation Volunteer Program’s Volunteer Champion 2003, as well as Volunteer of the second quarter in 2004. She is also the president of the LEMS Student Council this school year.
“I am nominating Jamilah for Volunteer of the Year simply because of her selfless service and willingness to help others,” said Vicky Fisher, Torch Club adviser, Landstuhl Middle School and Teen Center. “I think she is an example for other youths, who think they are too young to make a difference.”
Both youth volunteers will find out if they were selected for Volunteer of the Year during National Volunteer Week, April 18 to 24.
Jessica will find out at the FSC’s Annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony that takes place 11 a.m. April 22 at the Ramstein Officers’ Club.
Jamilah will find out at the ACS’s Volunteer Recognition Ceremony that takes place 6 p.m. April 22 at the Armstrong Community Club, Vogelweh Housing.