...for as long as it takes
By Bonnie Powell
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Four "VIP" volunteers chosen for
their selfless service to their communities will soon share prime
space on 250,000 boxes of cereal in commissaries worldwide.
Ranging in age from 13 to 80, the quartet will share top billing
with "Tony the Tiger" on Kellogg's Frosted Flakes boxes starting
in early May. The four winners of the "Very Important Patriots"
contest, conducted by the volunteer National Military Family
Association, are retired Air Force Col. Steven dePyssler, Air
Force spouse Karen Severns, Navy spouse Meg MacGregor and Air
Force dependent Andrew (Drew) Martinez.
DePyssler's volunteer workday as director of retiree activities
at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., starts at 5:30 a.m. and ends
whenever the work is done. Whether it's handholding for widows or
planning banquets for 700 Purple Heart veterans, this spry 80-
year-old epitomizes volunteerism.
At the other end of the spectrum, Martinez, 13, sets an example
for youngsters and adults alike. Among other things, he developed
a puppet ministry at the base chapel at F.E. Warren Air Force
Base, Wyo., and finds homes for stray kittens.
Severns, now stationed at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., was
cited for her contribution of nearly 1,000 volunteer hours to
improving the lives of families while at Eielson Air Force Base,
Alaska.
MacGregor was nominated by Bangor Naval Submarine Base, Wash.,
for initiating myriad projects ranging from a shelter for
battered wives and children to food collections for the needy.
She now lives in northern Virginia, where spouse, Tim, is
stationed at the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency at the State
Department.
The four were chosen from among nominations by spouse clubs or
family service centers worldwide. They received $1,000 prizes at
the annual association luncheon in Washington, D.C. The
nominating organizations also received $1,000 donations. The
association also recognized 20 runners up with $250 and $100
prizes.
The special 25-ounce cereal boxes will be available at
commissaries for about two weeks in early May or "while supplies
last." The promotion is the finale of the 1998 VIP contest year.
The 1999 contest nomination forms have gone out to spouse clubs
and family service centers and are due back at the association by
April 22, Hickey said. Candidates may be active or reserve
component members, retired members of the uniformed services, or
a family member. Nominations must cite how candidates have
improved the quality of life in their communities through
volunteerism.
"It's a win-win situation," said Sidney Hickey of the family
association. Commercial sponsors Kellogg's, the Minute Maid Co.,
the Clorox Co., the Keebler Co. and Gardetto's Snack Foods Co.
offer shoppers special commissary prices on products, underwrite
the cash prizes, and donate a portion of proceeds to the
association.
[Bonnie Powell is public affairs officer of the Southern Area
Office of the Defense Commissary Agency Eastern Region at Maxwell
Air Force Base, Ala.]
Special to the American Forces Press Service
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