New website makes volunteering a snap

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Ryan Crane
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  A new website, aimed at making it easier to find volunteer opportunities, was officially launched this week across U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa installations.

The website, www.myairforcevolunteer.com is a web-based program that is streamlined for computer and mobile use, making it easier to find, track and advertise base and local community volunteer opportunities.

"Every Airman is an ambassador while living in their local communities across Europe," said Gen. Frank Gorenc, USAFE-AFAFRICA commander. "Whether they are involved with their local town or a base organization, volunteering is about helping those in need. Programs like this, that connect volunteers with organizations, make our community stronger."

'My Air Force Volunteer', designed by Shon Wagner, 31st Force Support Squadron community readiness specialist at Aviano Air Base, Italy, requires users to register by either providing a name and email or by using a 'Login with Facebook' option.

Once the registration has been verified, users can log in to their home page. From this page users have a number of options at their fingertips, including the ability to view local volunteer opportunities, log their volunteer hours and check out their current volunteer statistics.

Organizations who frequently advertise volunteer opportunities can create an organization account to advertise through the website. Those posts are listed under the 'current volunteer opportunities' page, and will detail what the event is, the time of the event and even what is expected of volunteers during the event. Organizations can also list a point of contact with an email and phone number.

After users have completed a volunteer event, they can track their hours with the website. Hours can be added based on opportunities advertised on the website or events that users input manually. The reports feature allows users to input a date range and track the number of hours they volunteered in that time frame. The 'Quick-Reports' feature allows users to choose date ranges, making awards packages and enlisted performance reports a breeze.

Wagner, a retired senior master sergeant, originally created the web application to help Aviano AB community members track volunteer hours more efficiently. Shortly after the release, more than 28,000 volunteer hours were successfully recorded, and the Air Force took notice.

The self-taught web designer never expected to receive the attention he did after showcasing the web application to Mrs. Betty Welsh, wife spouse of General Mark A. Welsh, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, during a visit to Aviano AB in December 2014.

"She took down my information and a week later I was in contact with web developers about using my application for the Air Force," said Wagner. "All the feedback I receive for the Aviano application is going into the Air Force application I'm building to ensure everything is perfect."

While the website is constantly being upgraded based on feedback, Wagner and USAFE-AFAFRICA have officially taken the website live across the command, and are excited to see where the website will go from here, according to officials.

Senior Airman Matthew Lotz, 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this article.