Top volunteers recognized by 188th Wing

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cody Martin
  • 188th Wing Public Affairs
EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. --  The National Guard recognizes the exceptional contributions of volunteers in the support of service members and their families each year with volunteer awards. Debbie Smith received the 2016 Arkansas National Guard Volunteer of the Year Award and Tech. Sgt. Christopher Cooper and his family received the 2016 Arkansas National Guard Family of the Year Award during commander's call May 15, 2016.

The Arkansas National Guard Volunteer of the Year Award and the Arkansas National Guard Family of the Year Award are presented to one Army and one Air National Guard volunteer or family that show outstanding and exceptional service to the Airman and Family Readiness Program.

Smith has been a key volunteer for the 188th Wing since 2012 and was named the 188th's Outstanding Volunteer in 2013 and 2015. Smith showed exceptionalism by completing 893 volunteer hours since 2012, was instrumental in developing processes for the Transition Assistance Program, provided food and fellowship for the Brown Bag for Lunch Bunch Bible Study every Wednesday and assisted in numerous other endeavors. Smith also won the National Region 6 Volunteer of the Year Award.

Cooper is a member of the 188th Logistics Readiness Squadron. Cooper and his family showed outstanding service by completing 166 volunteer hours since 2012; provided information on fostering and adoption to unit members and their families following their own adoptions; designed, implemented and organized a coloring contest for Family Day with a Wingman theme and provided assistance in many other ways.

"The contributions of Debbie Smith and the Cooper family helped build and maintain long-term partnerships within the unit and the Fort Smith community," said Col. Bobbi Doorenbos, 188th Wing commander. "Citizens like them make the community a better place to live and certainly make the 188th a wonderful place to work."