Volunteers ‘go places’

***image1***(Editor’s Note: This is the last of a three-part series on KMC volunteers highlighting National Volunteer Week, which ends Sunday)
 
Many in the KMC see Europe thanks to the almost 20 volunteers at the Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation on Pulaski Barracks.
“Our ability to provide the number and variety of trips that we currently sponsor would be enormously reduced without the help of volunteers,” said Amber Wallin, volunteer coordinator, Kaiserslautern ODR.
“We offer about 25 trips a month that include skiing, biking, climbing, rafting, canoeing, deep sea and freshwater fishing, paragliding, city visits, shopping outings, and spa and amusement park trips,” she said.
Leading most of these trips are volunteers like Stacey Miller.
“By volunteering, I get to meet people and see Germany at the same time,” said Mrs. Miller. “I really hit it off with the people here, and they needed someone to take a ski trip that weekend, and I took the ski trip. It’s that easy.”
She functions as a tour guide, answering questions and providing information about the activity or area. She can also be responsible for driving and instruction for canoeing and climbing trips.
Customers don’t even have to worry about buying entrance tickets or ski passes. Mrs. Miller buys those from the money that was paid to Kaiserslautern ODR.
“Basically, I’m the responsibilities person, who everyone goes to when they have questions or need something,” said Mrs. Miller. “I’m the one responsible for all of the ‘nitty-gritty’ stuff.”
Mrs. Miller said that she was proud to volunteer at Kaiserslautern ODR because of the service they provide the community.
“It provides a relief for our active military members and civilians,” she said. “Without Outdoor Recreation, they wouldn’t have the low-cost ability to go and do things throughout Europe.
“We try to keep everything as low cost as we can for our Army and Air Force military members,” she said. “We cut costs in every way that we can and still provide the customer service that we can.”
Mrs. Miller has taken canoe camps since she was a child, but she says those who are interested in volunteering don’t have to worry about experience in a particular outdoor activity.
“A lot of the training is provided here while you volunteer,” she said. “If you don’t have any idea how to climb, we will take you along on a trip and show you the ropes.
“It’s a great place,” she said. “It’s really fun to volunteer here.”
For more information on volunteering and the benefits, call Mrs. Wallin at 489-7751 or 0631-536-7751, or stop by Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation, Bldg. 2905, Pulaski Barracks.