Volusia County, FL - The Volusia County Sheriff's Office (VCSO) honored Sheriff's Office volunteers at its 21st annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet and Awards.
The annual event took place at the Plaza Resort & Spa, 600 N. Atlantic Ave., April 12, with about 203 volunteers present.
According to the VCSO, the volunteers were thanked abundantly for the invaluable work they perform in service to the VCSO, and for giving of their time and of themselves. Their service helps the VCSO meet the needs of residents and keep the community safe.
"It's an absolute honor and a privilege to stand here tonight before so many committed Volusia County residents who are here not only to make the Sheriff's Department a better place to work, but also our community a better place to live," said Sheriff Mike Chitwood, keynote speaker for the event. "I cannot salute you folks enough for what you do for our community."
The VCSO says the volunteers work throughout the Sheriff's Office providing assistance in a variety of ways, such as: administrative, clerical, professional and technical.
Volunteers sometimes serve as:
Volunteers might also serve in office jobs in areas such as:
The VCSO reports the following information about Sheriff's Office volunteers and awards:
During 2016, all combined, VCSO volunteers donated 53, 996 hours of service, for an estimated value of $1.19 million.
William Highman, who has logged 14, 644 volunteer hours with the Sheriff's Office's Citizen Observer Program, was an award recipient, recognized for reaching a 15-year service milestone.
3 other volunteers were recognized as recipients of the President's Call to Service Award, which honors Americans who have given more than 4,000 hours of service and set an example to inspire others: Robert Neiland, Alan Ponder and Steven Powers.
Ted Wing was recognized as the Sheriff's Office 2016 Volunteer of the Year.
15 of the agency's newest volunteers were thanked for joining the ranks.
"I can't thank you enough," said Sheriff Chitwood. "I look forward to the next 4 years together."
Photos courtesy of the VCSO.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.
