Volunteers recognized during a volunteer appreciation awards ceremony

Photo By Sgt. Neysa Huertas Quinones | Col. Chris Pappas III, (left) and Maj. Gen. Gary L. Thomas congratulate volunteers during a volunteer appreciation award ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., April 12, 2016. The award ceremony was held to recognize the more than 90,000 volunteer hours collectively accomplished by members of the air station community. Senior leaders represented their units along with DOD employees and service family volunteers as they received individual recognition for their volunteer efforts and the positive impact they have on the air station. Thomas is the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general and Pappas is the Cherry Point commanding officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT , NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

04.15.2016

Story by Cpl. Neysa Huertas Quinones 

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

More than 90,000 volunteer hours were completed by more than 5,000 volunteers from MCAS Cherry Point in 2015. An award ceremony was held to honor these volunteers at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., April 12, 2016.

Senior leaders represented their units, along with DOD employees and service family volunteers as they received individual recognition for their volunteer efforts and the positive impact they have on the air station and surrounding communities.

“It really is impressive, the impact our volunteers have had,” said Col. Chris Pappas III, the air station commanding officer. “We have what I would call world-class programs here at Cherry Point. Our programs, like the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society and the family readiness program, do great things for our military and families. However, no matter how well resourced the programs they are, they depend on those volunteers to maintain their programs.”

According to Pappas, although the air station is not among the largest installations in the Corps, it is among the top contributors of volunteer hours. A fact that was recently recognized by Headquarters Marine Corps when they awarded the MCAS Cherry Point Single Marine Program for having the highest number of volunteer hours among all Marine Corps installations for 2015. It had 29,746 volunteer hours for the year.

Volunteering is a way to give back to not only the local community, but also to the Marines and Sailors of Cherry Point, he added.

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• Date Taken: 04.15.2016
• Date Posted: 04.15.2016 16:09
• Story ID: 195479
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT , NORTH CAROLINA, US