MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va., April 26, 2006 – Volunteerism is at the heart of America, a Defense Department official said while honoring volunteers here yesterday.
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It's one of those important characteristics of America that we appreciate and value people who use their time to serve others," she said.
The presidential award recognizes "the best in American spirit, and (is intended) to encourage all Americans to improve their communities through volunteer service and civic participation," according to the award Web site. Individuals, families and groups that demonstrate outstanding volunteer service and civic participation over the course of a 12-month period are eligible for the award.
Mancini, a 23-year Marine wife, has donated more than 7,500 volunteer hours to the Lifestyle Insights, Networking, Knowledge and Skills program. L.I.N.K.S. is a Marine Corps' family team building program. The 10-hour course offers Marine spouses an orientation to the Corps through spouse-to-spouse mentorship and small-group discussion. For 15 years, she was a L.I.N.K.S. mentor and has served as a mentor manager for two years. For the past nine months she has also served as the on-installation trainer.
Mancini said she could get a job, but volunteering allows her flexibility.
"I'm a clinical psychologist. Sure, I could get a job," she said. But a full-time job comes with drawbacks. The difference is you could pick (a volunteer) opportunity, put as much time into it as you wanted or back off a little bit when you have other competing demands," Mancini said. "Still, the same reasons that drew you to this opportunity would be there (when you came back), and you're going to stick around longer because you can adjust the amount you give to that volunteer opportunity."
Like Mancini, Narvaez has donated thousands of hours to volunteer opportunities-more than 6,000 in her lifetime. Married to Marine Staff Sgt. Marcus Narvaez for eight years, she currently serves as the team leader for the L.I.N.K.S. program. Her job helps keep servicemembers and their families connected.
"I really saw there was the mission to empower military spouses, especially with the war going on and all the things you see and hear on TV," she said regarding the L.I.N.K.S. program. "Keeping the military spouses informed, getting them educated, and making them aware is really going to improve the Marine Corps and the lifestyle of our community."
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