Volunteers: On Point for Fort Belvoir!

The Installation Volunteer Program is designed to promote volunteerism in meeting Fort Belvoir's community needs. The installation volunteer coordinator helps community agencies recruit, train and recognize volunteers and finds people and groups willing to help. Fort Belvoir's Installation Volunteer Office is in Bldg. 498. Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone: (703) 805-4152.

Army Family Team Building -- Army Family Team Building (AFTB) contributes to readiness, performance, retention and recruitment, all vital to the Army's mission. The AFTB program trains Soldiers and Families to become a combat multiplier and enhance overall readiness of the force. An informed, empowered Family allows the Soldier to concentrate efforts and focus in on the mission of defending our nation. The Soldier is able to feel confident and secure that his or her Family is better prepared for the challenges of mobilization. After AFTB training, Family members develop realistic expectations resulting in less frustration and confusion. If informed Families can do more to help themselves, the command can focus on its mission while assuring Family members that the military support will be there. In this respect, command support of the program is vital to its success. Volunteer opportunities are available! A total of 16 hours of FREE childcare provided for AFTB Volunteers.

Soldiers can earn up to 4 Promotion Points for completion of Financial Readiness, Operation Ready, New Parent Support Program, Army Family Team Building (Level I) classroom instruction, and for Army Family Team Building (Level I, II, III) on-line instruction. A total of four promotion points can be awarded for 40 cumulative hours of course instruction. AFTB is located at 9800 Belvoir Rd. Building #200, 703 805-2967.

American Red Cross, 9716 Middleton Road, Suite 101 Fort Belvoir, Va. 22060-1534 (703) 805-2057. Red Cross volunteers work at DeWitt Army Community Hospital in the child development services, in primary care, in the mother/baby ward, and the pharmacy; teach CPR, water safety and AIDS awareness; work in the Van Noy Library in typing, filing and in the children's room; also in leadership positions.

Army Community Services (ACS), 9655 Belvoir Road, Bldg. 1001 Should be 9800 Belvoir Road, Bldg. 200. Fort Belvoir, VA 22060. (703) 805-4590. Army Community Service volunteers work in the areas of financial management, office work, consumer information, social service, and special education. Child care for volunteers is free at the Child Development Center. Training and experience is carefully documented.

Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) Program, 9800 Belvoir Road Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5908. (703) 806-5225. A community program for single and unaccompanied soldiers designed to encourage participation in community events. Soldiers volunteer in tutoring for the Youth Services, help the MPs in working as crossing guards at Halloween, make visits to the Soldier's Home, and much more.

Boy Scout Troop 118, PO Box 543 Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-0543. (703) 360-8849. Volunteers work with young men between the ages of 11 and 18 in programs that offer effective character, citizenship, and personal fitness training. Challenging positions to help young people grow physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually.

Cub Scout Pack 118, 9725 Harris Road, Suite 101 Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5908. (703) 781-8107. Volunteers work directly with the boys as den/assistant den leader to a cubmaster/assistant cubmaster to plan and execute the pack activities.

DeWitt Army Health Care System Volunteer Coordinator's Office, 9501 Farrell Road, Suite G-C11 Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5901. (703) 805-0510. Many opportunities abound for those wanting to lend a helping hand to those who are hurting and in need, whether it is to offer a kind word, a cool drink of water, or just a sympathetic ear to listen. Administrative and clerical positions are available, as well as positions in the wards and clinics for those with a medical license. This is a great opportunity to give back to the community and make this a better place to live.

Enlisted Spouse's Club, PO Box 175 Fort Belvoir, VA 22060. (703) 781-0407. The volunteers are actively involved in the Fort Belvoir community. Sponsor Bingo games at the NCO Club three-days-a-week, participate in activities at Woodlawn Plantation, sponsor the "Fun Fest" for the kids, purchase computers for the Fort Belvoir schools, contribute to the Ronald McDonald House. Eighty percent of profits go to scholarships and other donations.

Fort Belvoir Swimming Pools, 10051 Gay Road Fort Belvoir, VA 22060. (703) 805-2620. This is the place to come if you enjoy swimming and working with people of all ages, from 6 months old, right on up to 90 years old. Volunteers get to "play" in the water teaching recreational swimming, helping people to get fit and trim, teaching regular swimming lessons, and really just having lots of fun.

Belvoir Thrift Shop, PO Box 529, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-0529. (703) 360-3160, Fax: (703) 360-1066. For those who really enjoy getting a bargain and stretching a dollar to the max, you will enjoy working here. Volunteers help others by offering the most for the least amount. Proceeds from Thrift Shop sales are returned to the community in the form of academic achievement awards, continuing education scholarships and Fort Belvoir Community Committee grants. For more information, visit the Belvoir Thrift Shop home page: www.fortbelvoirthriftshop.org

Girl Scouts, PO Box 282, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060. Volunteer leaders help girls in Kindergarten through 12th grade learn to reach their full potential while developing values for living and relating to others better. Girls also discover the importance of community service. Free training is available for volunteers.

Mayoral Program, 9655 Belvoir Rd., Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5561. (703) 805-4152. A great opportunity to try out your leadership skills and become a valuable contributing member of your community. The Community Mayoral Program provides opportunities to voice your opinions and concerns about the environment here at Fort Belvoir, to greatly improve community life, and to take an active part in your community.

Officers' Wives' Garden Club, 8426 Cherry Valley Lane Alexandria, VA 22309. (703) 799-1400. For those who love flowers, gardening, and beautifying your surroundings, this is the perfect place for you. Volunteers work to beautify Fort Belvoir, aid in the protection of native trees and plants, and we have exciting hands-on demonstrations and workshops.

Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA)/Hayfield Secondary School, 7630 Telegraph Road Alexandria, VA 22310. (703) 924-7400. What better way to improve lives than by being directly involved in young people's education? You can help to make our world a better place by being actively involved with student achievement programs, senior scholarships, the activities hotline and many other programs designed to enrich our students' lives.

Partners-in-Education Volunteer Program, 9655 Belvoir Rd., Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5561. (703) 805-2908. This is yet another great opportunity to be directly involved in our students' education. Volunteers tutor, mentor, judge science fairs and essay contests. Partners with 10 Fairfax County Public Schools. Help our students to excel, and to become their best.

Retirement Services Office, Bldg. 1001, Room 108, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060. (703) 805-2675. There are several fun activities throughout the year where someone could offer volunteer services such as the Retiree Activity Day. Volunteers can help with designing and setting up displays, and other activities throughout the day. The widow/widowers luncheon every May is a fun-filled, informative day where volunteers can also help.

USO Center at Ft Belvoir, 6099 Abbott Road, Bldg 2115, Ft Belvoir, VA  22060. (703) 805-2464. Since 1990, the USO Center at Fort Belvoir has been home to programs designed with the entire military family as well as single service men and women in mind. Service members and families can stop by the USO Center to watch a movie, read a book, play video games (XBOX 360 & Wii), have a snack and a beverage, or use our Wi-fi for free. Volunteers are needed to help run the Center and for special events. Please contact us at terra@usometro.org or (703) 805-2464 for information.

Staff Chaplain Directorate, 5950 12th Street, Suite 101 Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5539. (703) 806-3006. Reach out and touch somebody's hand and make this world a better place by ministering to those in need. Many opportunities abound to help others, by providing services for the sick and needy; visiting hospitals, nursing homes and shut-ins; or serving as Eucharist ministers, songleaders, choir directors, or just offering spiritual support to those in need.

Van Noy Library, 5966 12th Street Fort Belvoir, VA 22060. (703) 806-3323. If you love working with children, ages 2 to 6, many opportunities are here to let your creative side shine. Help out with Story Hour by designing the "flannel board" or design displays in the library. Also those with computer skills are really needed, as the library is setting up computers for students and adults. Individuals with military backgrounds are also needed.

Fort Belvoir Youth Services, 5820 21st St., Suite 109, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060. (703) 805-4515. Make a difference in the lives of children 6 to 18 years old; they need your help. You can make a difference and have lots of fun at the same time! Opportunities for coaching football, soccer, baseball and softball. Teach team building and patience, values that they will use throughout life. Chaperone fun trips to Kings Dominion, Luray Caverns or white water rafting. Use your knowledge and expertise in tutoring. Be a role model.