An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Volunteering: Service before self

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Terrica Y. Jones
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

Nearly a dozen military members received the President's Volunteer Service Award during a volunteer recognition ceremony Dec. 29 at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

 

The PVSA is the premier volunteer awards program in the United States and encourages citizens to live a life of service. Volunteers have to accumulate more than 500 hours to earn the PVSA.

 

Jar Saleh, a volunteer organization at AUAB, helps military members earn volunteer hours on, and off base.

 

“We are an organization that focuses on volunteering and interacting with the local population; we focus on the development of airmen’s culture,” said Capt. Christina MacDonald, 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron flight commander and Jar Saleh’s president.

 

Jar Saleh members who volunteer in the Qatar community, have accumulated more than 500 volunteer hours over the past several months. Volunteers supported a variety of organizations, such as the Qatar Animal Welfare Society, where volunteers cleaned animals, donated food and walked the animals. Service members also mentored at the American School of Doha and volunteers shared their experiences with the Qatar Foundation during cultural exchanges, where men and women discussed current topics in separate settings.

 

“This is a weekly exchange program where women's and men's groups discuss current affairs and interact with one another,” said MacDonald. “This is a great opportunity to immerse in the culture, break barriers and ask questions.”

 

The recognition ceremony honored military members who volunteer. Two of the PVSA recipients shared why they chose to volunteer in the community.

 

“I have always valued being a part of the community and having a relationship with those that are around us,” said Staff Sgt. Charles Wilson, 379th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron contracting officer.  “I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet individuals outside of the installation by creating relationships between military and the local populace.”

 

Wilson said he enjoyed the camaraderie volunteers shared and how different military organizations come together.

 

It’s good to be part of professional organizations, to be involved with events off base and to have the opportunity to socialize with the community, said Tech. Sgt. Charles Craig, 379 ECONS noncommissioned officer in charge.

 

“I love going to the animal shelter,” Craig said. “It was refreshing taking the pets for laps along the compound. It’s definitely an experience that can recharge your batteries.”

 

Jar Saleh also took home the PVSA as an organization. The organization was given a certificate recognizing its members for their volunteer service and received a letter signed by President Barack Obama for their volunteer efforts.