Fort Leavenworth volunteers honored for contributions to community

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas - Volunteers were recognized for their contributions to the community during a ceremony April 23, 2026, at the Frontier Conference Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

"Today we gather to celebrate something truly special - the people who bring heart, kindness and sweetness into everything they do," Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator

April Rogers said as she welcomed volunteers and supporters. "This year's theme, "Our Volunteers Are Sweet," couldn't be more fitting, because each of you adds something unique and delightful to our community."

Rogers shaped her remarks around the "sweet" theme, describing volunteers as the chocolate, caramel, peppermint and sprinkles that add their own distinctive gifts to the work they do.

"Individually you're wonderful. Together, you're the recipe that makes Fort Leavenworth extraordinary," she said.

Rogers said the volunteers' dedication makes a marked difference.

"You've shown up early, stayed late, stepped in when things got tough, and lifted others when they needed support. You've given your time, your talents, and your hearts - not because you had to, but because you wanted to," she said. "That generosity is the sweetest gift of all."

Volunteers who registered for the ceremony received certificates of appreciation. All volunteers were recognized equally, without designations determined by the number of hours logged in VMIS or selected volunteers of the year as was the tradition at recognition ceremonies in years past.

"Today we want to give you something back. We want you to feel seen. We want you to feel appreciated. And we want you to know that everything you do matters - more than you may ever realize," Rogers told the volunteers, who were grouped mainly by organization at tables that continued the sweet theme with labels like Lollipop Lagoon, Bubble Gum Burst, Strawberry Swirl, Gumdrop Garden, Blue Raspberry Blast and Cotton Candy Cloud. "Thank you for being the sweetness that makes Fort Leavenworth's mission possible. … Our volunteers truly are sweet, and we are grateful for every moment, every hour and every act of service you've shared with us."

The volunteers recognized during the ceremony represented the nearly 300 registered volunteers who contributed time that could be valued at about $600,000 in service.

"But today isn't just about numbers - it's about what those numbers represent," Fort Leavenworth Garrison Commander Col. Todd Sunday said. "Every hour you give helps build something that cannot be measured on a spreadsheet. You create a sense of belonging. You make this installation feel like home, especially for families who may be far from their own."

Sunday said the volunteers fill gaps that policies and programs cannot, and they reflect the best of the Army values.

"You mentor our youth, support our soldiers and families, uplift our spouses and provide comfort when it matters most," he said. "You remind us that readiness isn't just about training or equipment - it's about resilience, connection and the strength of our people… You make a difference every single day, and we are stronger because of you."

Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Director Paul Martocci said the dollar amount volunteers provide to the installation in cost avoidance is easily more than a million dollars, not just the equation used to convert hours into the dollar amount written on the big check on display. He said the real value is the volunteers' time in service to others that makes the community stronger.

"It's not that you have the most time as a volunteer - it's how you make your choices with your discretionary time. It's not that you have the most time available - it's that you have the biggest hearts, and that's why you're here. That's why you're giving back to this community," he said. "Thank you so much for your generosity. Thank you so much for the gift of your time. And thank you so much for making us the best hometown in the Army."