JBER honors community volunteers Published May 23, 2012 By PAO Staff Report JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- JBER hosted its first joint volunteer recognition ceremony May 9 at the JBER-Richardson theater to thank those who give their time and talents to help others. Volunteers were presented 280 Presidential Service Pins: 174 received bronze pins for volunteering 100 to 249 hours; 73 received silver pins for giving between 250 and 499 hours to the community; and 34 received gold pins for volunteering 500 or more hours during the previous year. Volunteers were also recognized in several categories. This year's winners were: Air Force Excellence Award - David Delap and Lisa Whisenhunt Air Force Angel Award - Mimi Elmore Angel Family Award - the Whisenhunt family Military Volunteer of the Year - Army Capt. Andre Randolph Civilian Volunteer of the Year - Jennifer Vaughn Youth Volunteer of the Year - Jachike Madubuko and Victoria Palasciano Family Volunteer of the Year - the Palasciano family and the Piper family The installation's 1,525 volunteers donated 111,314 hours - time valued at nearly $2.5 million - for programs like the JBER School Partnership program, Habitat for Humanity, Bean's Cafe & Outreach Center, Airmen Against Drunk Driving, Special Olympics, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Soldiers Against Drunk Driving, Abused Women's Aid in Crisis, Better Opportunities for Single Service Members, the Alaska Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Alaska Military Youth Academy and others. "The volunteer service program isn't just about saving money," said Air Force Col. Robert Evans, JBER and 673d Air Base Wing commander. "It's about coming together as people of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson community."