Fort Leavenworth Stray Facility volunteer Marisa Ranney plays fetch with adoptable dog Lady Aug. 13 in the facility’s play yard. In addition to covering care shifts, which includes feeding and watering pets, walking dogs, cleaning kennels and more, Ranney also fosters adoptable pets and trains new FLSF volunteers. Photo by Prudence Siebert/Fort Leavenworth Lamp
As the schoolyear starts and new community members settle in, soldiers and family members often seek opportunities to take advantage of what Fort Leavenworth offers. The installation hosts various events to enjoy and organizations to join, many of which provide the option to serve as a volunteer.
The following is a guide to volunteering on post, organizations that offer opportunities and motivation to get involved.
Many on-post organizations serving the installation list their volunteer opportunities on the Army Volunteer Management Information System at https://vmis.armyfamilywebportal.com/.
VMIS allows volunteers to browse opportunities by ZIP code, contact Army Volunteer Corps coordinators and track volunteer hours online. VMIS is a viable resource to find and apply for volunteer positions around the installation.
Users can search as a guest on the website, but more opportunities are available to those who create an account and verify their information.
Once verified, users can find opportunities automatically populated by their designated location. Users can also track and schedule hours, fill in applications and track application status. Volunteers should apply through VMIS or contact organizations directly, as some organizations may not actively monitor the platform.
On post, volunteer positions are varied and include animal care and administrative tasks at the Fort Leavenworth Stray Facility, event set up and reading to students with Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, and mentorship and leadership positions with Scouts BSA.
To ask questions, find potentially unlisted opportunities and track volunteer hours from off-post organizations, contact a designated Army Volunteer Corps coordinator, such as Jessica Brushwood or Janice Downey at Army Community Service at 913-684-2800.
To begin searching for local volunteer opportunities, visit https://vmis.armyfamilywebportal.com/volunteer/opportunities.
Volunteers can search for off-post opportunities through the United Way at https://www.unitedway.org/get-involved/volunteer.
Those interested can search for postings by ZIP code and filter categories by activity, category, keywords and skills. For example, searching 66027 for Fort Leavenworth populates volunteer opportunities around Kansas City, Shawnee and Overland Park, Kan., and St. Joseph and Gladstone, Mo.
Volunteers can apply for opportunities by selecting “learn more” on each posting and then following instructions at the link provided.
United Way opportunities have varying time commitments and seasonal options; users should consider checking sites regularly and understand what their volunteer preferences are.
Army Doctrine Developer Capt. Vidal Carlos Garza, Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate, said he was inspired by his grandparents’ involvement in community service and began volunteering shortly after he began his military career. At each duty station, he said he searches for opportunities on the United Way website or asks about volunteering through church groups.
He said volunteerism can help soldiers become more resilient by understanding how to contribute to a community through an organization.
“It’s a pretty good thing, one, to give back to your community, but also, you’re building an understanding of ‘What is a community and what drives it?’ and ‘What are some things that make (communities) resilient?’,” Garza said.
Garza suggests finding opportunities by interest — and being patient with organizations when coordinating volunteer positions. Garza is particularly interested in serving those in poverty or fighting substance abuse, opting into mentorship programs to aid reintegration. He said he has also served as a tutor in youth programs. He said after retirement, he is looking to get involved with social work or primary education teaching, and volunteering allows him to explore venues for future positions.
Garza said he often volunteers off-post to avoid compartmentalizing and to stay in touch with the civilian community.
“(Understand) what you want to do and (have) a goal, then when you have those windows of opportunity to give back, either it’s a one-time thing where you’re paying attention to the community you’re in, or where you’re in garrison (and) you have a definite 9-5 so you can (plan).”
Garza also suggests being upfront with communication about time commitments and expectations. He said virtual volunteer opportunities provide an outlet for community service with more flexibility for people limited by time and geography.
“I think building yourself as a person and growing yourself as a person can grow you as a solider, too.”
The following offer on-post volunteer opportunities, many of them with descriptions listed in VMIS:
Army Family Action Plan (AFAP)
Army Family Team Building (AFTB)
Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS)
Command and General Staff College Foundation
Command and General Staff College Spouse Council
Command and General Staff College Student Affairs
Command Team Spouse Development Program
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation
Friends of the Frontier Army Museum
Frontier Army Living History Association
Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library (CARL)
Midwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility Battalion (Corrections)
Protestant Men of the Chapel
Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC)
Rod and Gun Club/Kennels
School of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills Program (SKIES Unlimited)
Scouts BSA (Boy Scouts of America)
Saint Ignatius Parish Ministries and Religious Education
Stray Animal Facility (Fort Leavenworth Stray Facility)
Team Red, White and Blue
U.S. Disciplinary Barracks Battalion (Corrections)
Women of Saint Ignatius (WOSI)