Two volunteers deemed priceless

  • Published
  • By Mary Brown
  • Airman and Family Readiness Center
F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo --  Someone once said, "Volunteers are not paid -- not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless."

Each year, Warren recognizes two civilians with the Volunteer Excellence Award. The two Warren civilians earning the 2006 VEA are Sheri Scott and Charles Scottini.

The VEA was established by the Air Force chief of staff to recognize civilians, family members, military and federal retirees who perform outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct and consequential nature.

Active-duty members are not eligible for this award but can seek a medal recognizing their volunteerism.

Mrs. Scott worked in the 90th Medical Group but transferred to the Veterans Administration in October. She worked 12 hours a day during Cheyenne Frontier Days and led other volunteers in 80 events. Mrs. Scott organized and scheduled 85 hours of CFD musical/stage entertainment for more than 250,000 spectators annually. She's been volunteering at CFD for 27 years.

Mrs. Scott also does community outreach, visits schools and educates students on proper oral hygiene.

Active in the base community, she chaired the entertainment committee for the 90th Space Wing 2006 Holiday Party and spearheaded the plan for the performance of the 30-person choir.

Mrs. Scott also created three squadron excellence award certificates for the medical operations squadron and designed protocol office promotion templates.

Mr. Scottini is a plumber in the 90th Civil Engineer Squadron. He's also the assistant fire chief for 60 other volunteers in Laramie County Fire District 2.

Mr. Scottini earned a certificate of recognition in April 2005 for response to 1,000 emergency fires, accidents and medical incidents. In the first three and a half months this year, he responded to 65 of 83 calls for LCFD#2.

Active in the base community, he participated in the Enlisted Village Bowling fundraiser and helped raise $550.

In addition, he supported Air Force Sergeant's Association's Hurricane Katrina Relief fundraising initiative that raised $225,000 for Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., evacuees.

Also a CFD volunteer, Mr. Scottini engineered an innovative manifold, which provided a water source to the Fort D. A. Russell Days events participants and livestock. He aided with traffic control signs for the Thunderbirds air show, eliminating confusion and traffic mishaps.