22nd ARW recognizes volunteers Published April 26, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Jose L. Leon 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- More than 220 McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., volunteers and guests attended the 22nd Air Refueling Wing volunteer appreciation ceremony. The event was held in the Robert J. Dole Community Center Ballroom April 24, 2013 and lunch was offered to the attendees before the awards were distributed to volunteers. In 2012, volunteers put in more than 30,500 hours, saving McConnell approximately $650,000. "We are fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers," said Krista Thomas, 22nd Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant. "Their service allows our military and civilian workforce to focus on other areas. The volunteer appreciation ceremony is the least we can do to show our gratitude." Col. Ricky Rupp, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Kaleth Wright, 22nd ARW command chief, recognized top volunteers during the ceremony. Awards given during the ceremony were: · The 2012 Military Outstanding Volunteer service medals · 2012 Wing Volunteer of the Quarter awards for each quarter of the year · Wing Volunteer of the Year · Air Force Volunteer Excellence awards · 2013 McConnell Key Spouse of the Year For some Airmen, volunteering isn't about the recognition. "The feeling I get from it is what motivates me to volunteer," said Senior Airman Christopher Lange, 22nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron bioenvironmental engineering technician. "A lot of people talk about enlisted performance reports, doing it for your job or your skills, but for me it is the idea of making an impact somewhere there was a void and as a volunteer I stepped up to fill that void and provide a resource or a need." The spotlight was on the volunteers this time around as the A&FRC and many others gave their thanks for the hours spent donating time to ensure the mission carries on.