Volunteers can rework communities and enrich the lives of individuals, whereas additionally benefiting from the expertise of giving again. Clockwise, from left: Madison Clark, Fort Drum Assistant Fireplace Chief Joel Sova and Billie Elliott share their tales about volunteerism. Fort Drum celebrates its volunteers throughout Volunteer of the Quarter and Volunteer of the Yr ceremonies, and this restricted collection highlights a few of the work and accomplishments made for native volunteers and volunteer organizations. (Photograph by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)
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FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Might 5, 2025) — For the previous two years, Madison Clark has been employed with the Soldier and Household Readiness Division’s Data and Referral, the place she is stationed on the entrance desk contained in the Household Useful resource Middle.
In a way, she’s like a primary responder in her group as a result of she by no means is aware of what diploma or extent of help the subsequent name or particular person strolling in will want.
Clark mentioned it typically reminds her of when she volunteered as a driver with the Indian River Ambulance Service in Jefferson County.
“I really like chaotic environments, so I knew that may be one thing I might do to assist folks,” Clark mentioned. “I used to be nervous after I began, however I started studying so much instantly. Having that hands-on expertise was an enormous factor for me.”
Clark mentioned the volunteer work could possibly be emotional at occasions, at all times high-adrenaline, and by no means routine.
“There weren’t typical days,” she mentioned. “Each time was totally different. I believe lots of people suppose that we type of simply present up on the station and type of simply sit there and look ahead to one thing to occur. It actually wasn’t like that, a minimum of for my company. We have been out serving to the neighborhood on a regular basis, exhibiting up at college occasions and within the neighborhoods – making a distinction.”
Clark mentioned it was rewarding simply having the ability to work together with neighborhood members exterior of medical emergencies.
“It could make the day go by quicker, and it type of helped with the emotional side of the job, too,” she mentioned.
Clark, a Watertown native, mentioned she grew to become extra assured in herself and able to dealing with uncomfortable conditions. That got here in useful when she started working with SFRD, having by no means visited Fort Drum earlier than.
“All the pieces right here was a brand new expertise for me – working with service members, going by the gates to go to work, after which all of the totally different coaching that’s required,” Clark mentioned.
“Actually, as totally different because the atmosphere was for me right here in comparison with what I used to be doing earlier than, it may be chaotic at occasions and that made me really feel higher,” she continued. “I felt comfy as a result of I might use my abilities to cope with any scenario.”
Clark was reminded of a latest incidence when a member of the family visited the FRC, visibly careworn and indignant as a result of her family items have been broken in the course of the transfer to Fort Drum. Clark approached the scenario calmly, letting the partner know she was there to attach her with sources to resolve the issue.
“It’s actually simply ensuring that their wants are met, and ensuring they’ve the suitable sources,” Clark mentioned.
Like Clark, Billie Elliott discovered that volunteering helped put together her for civilian employment at Fort Drum.
In the course of the peak of the conflict on terrorism, Elliott mentioned her husband was typically deployed. She discovered a neighborhood of spouses that provided help and luxury throughout troublesome occasions.
“Volunteer alternatives stored us busy, and type of stored our minds occupied on different issues,” she mentioned.
As a brand new navy partner at Fort Benning, Georgia, volunteering with the Soldier and Household Readiness Group helped Elliott keep socially lively.
“I had by no means left residence earlier than, and I used to be feeling actually lonely,” she mentioned. “Particularly when your husband’s gone on a regular basis, volunteering is simply a great way to satisfy folks, and in addition to get data and be taught in regards to the neighborhood.”
Elliott volunteered to work at homecoming ceremonies and different occasions, and he or she ultimately assumed a management place.
“It was type of like a domino impact,” she mentioned. “There was simply at all times one thing to do. After which by networking, I discovered about MyCAA, which is now one thing I get to inform spouses about.”
The MyCAA (My Profession Development Account) scholarship program offers eligible navy spouses with monetary help to pursue or preserve a license, certification, or affiliate’s diploma wanted to realize employment.
“I used to be ready to return to highschool and end my diploma, with the intention of going again into the workforce as soon as our youngsters went to highschool,” Elliott mentioned.
Throughout an SFRG dinner, a visitor speaker delivered a speech about volunteerism. Elliott mentioned the influence of these phrases nonetheless resonates along with her right this moment.
“She talked in regards to the energy of volunteering,” Elliott mentioned. “A variety of occasions, spouses have these ‘breaks’ of their careers due to life occasions they usually can’t work. She made the purpose that many people hadn’t considered – that volunteering is a means to assist others but in addition to assist your self. Each volunteer alternative offers you extra expertise, and it fills these gaps in your employment historical past.”
Elliott started logging her volunteer hours within the Volunteer Administration Data System, and by the point her household arrived at Fort Drum in 2016 she was prepared to seek out employment.
“I began trying and I used to be right here for over a yr, however nothing was taking place,” she mentioned. “My husband was a primary sergeant at 4-31(4th Battalion, thirty first Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Fight Staff), and I began volunteering over there to help the unit.”
A dialog with a senior partner led to a referral on the Schooling Middle and a contractor place.
“I knew my resume didn’t have loads of work expertise, however I had all my volunteer time on it,” Elliott mentioned. “I used to be advised that with my diploma, volunteer expertise and realizing my means across the navy, it actually made a distinction.”
When their household moved to Fort Bliss, Texas, after which Fort Carson, Colorado, she was in a position to stay employed with the identical contractor within the Schooling Middle at each places.
“We selected to return again to Fort Drum when my husband determined to retire, and this was my alternative to attempt to get into the GS (authorities service) system,” Elliott mentioned. “It was type of my long-term aim all alongside, however I used to be reluctant to take action when my husband was nonetheless bouncing round from place to put.”
Elliott mentioned it was a “full circle” second when she returned to the Fort Drum Schooling Middle, the place she now works full time as an training companies specialist.
“I really feel that is the place it began for me with my profession,” she mentioned. “However all these years volunteering and networking gave me the expertise to get me the place I’m. I’m very obsessed with training and now I get to do one thing I really like. I really like being that particular person that may assist a younger Soldier get hold of their instructional objectives.”
Fort Drum Assistant Fireplace Chief Joel Sova started working with Fort Drum Fireplace and Emergency Companies in 2000, however he has been a volunteer firefighter longer than that.
“I joined the Sackets Harbor Fireplace Firm in 1989, and 36 years later I’m nonetheless an lively member,” he mentioned. “I used to be a typical child rising up in Sackets Harbor, at all times watching the fireplace vans go down the street with their lights and sirens going. Anytime the siren went off to inform the volunteers, I’d journey my bike all the way down to the nook and watch the fellows arrive, seize their gear, and leap on the truck to depart for the decision.”
Sova’s grandfather and two uncles additionally served in the identical hearth firm, and his stepfather was a volunteer in his hometown.
“My youngest son is presently a volunteer with Sackets and can be a firefighter with Fort Drum Fireplace and Emergency Companies,” he added.
No matter motivation and fervour for serving to others, being each a profession firefighter and volunteer might be difficult at occasions.
“It does get troublesome making an attempt to stability all the pieces,” Sova mentioned. “Once you first be a part of a volunteer division you need to be there for all the pieces. Your loved ones life revolves across the hearth division. Ultimately you’ll begin to be taught you possibly can’t be there for all the pieces, nevertheless it eats at you deep down you can’t. You begin doing what you possibly can and when you possibly can.”
Sova mentioned volunteer firefighters present an important service of their communities, they usually take pleasure in defending the folks they name buddies, household and neighbors.
“I believe it’s extra necessary in small villages like Sackets Harbor the place you have been raised, and know a lot of the residents,” he mentioned. “They’re having probably the worst day of their lives. And once they see acquainted faces there to assist them, I hope they really feel a way of reduction and an excessive amount of help from individuals who care.”
Fort Drum neighborhood members who’re searching for volunteer alternatives can cease inside The Peak between 10 a.m. and a couple of p.m. Might 29 throughout Mountain Meet-Up.
There will probably be dozens of off-post and set up businesses and organizations in attendance highlighting all of the totally different leisure, help and neighborhood service actions accessible within the North Nation.
For extra data, name (315) 772-6556 or 772-6566.
To be taught extra about volunteering, contact the Fort Drum Military Volunteer Corps Program at (315) 772-2899, or go to the Household Useful resource Middle in Bldg. 11042 on Mount Belvedere Boulevard.
(Editor’s Be aware: This text is a part of a restricted collection about volunteerism at Fort Drum, main as much as the annual Volunteer of the Yr awards ceremony on Might 9.)
