MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- With the help of volunteers like Sidonia H. McReynolds and Staff Sgt. William T. Skidmore, the base theoretically saved more than $3 million last year.
For assuming the leading edge of resource-saving, community-enhancing service, McReynolds and Skidmore were named the base's Volunteers of the Year April 22 at the South Mesa Club.
According to Carmen E. Carlisle, Camp Pendleton's volunteer coordinator, the base saves money through volunteers because the military does not have to pay contractors to get the job done.
McReynolds and Skidmore were two of 33 nominees for the civilian and military Volunteers of the Year Award.
McReynolds, founder and chairman of Friends of San Onofre Marines, a nonprofit organization that supports spouses and families of military personnel deployed overseas, volunteered more than 2,000 hours last year, Carlisle said.
Meanwhile, Skidmore, a staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39, volunteered as a youth soccer, basketball and baseball coach.
Skidmore says his involvement in youth sports started with his children's participation. Now, he views it partly as a way to stand in the gap for deployed parents.
"As a coach, the children look up to you, so you have to be able to teach them right from wrong," Skidmore said. "With many dads and moms being deployed, volunteers who help with the youth sports really contribute to the development of the children in a positive way."
Sgt. Maj. Juan F. Sandoval, Jr., the base's sergeant major, said Skidmore's contribution "has greatly aided the youth sports program at Camp Pendleton."
Meanwhile, his players have learned "life lessons" that will pay dividends for years to come, Sandoval said.
"He provided better sports for kids and better kids for life," the sergeant major said.
A committee composed of one officer and one enlisted member from both the Marine Corps and Navy, along with one military family member, a military retiree and two civilian employees, reviewed the nominees and selected the winners.
"It was a hard decision for the committee to make," Carlisle said, adding that the two selectees, "displayed the meaning of being a volunteer."
"I wish we could give an award to all the nominees. They all put a lot into the volunteer programs here or off base," she added.
The selectees didn't know they'd been chosen until announced at the banquet in front of 1,000 people.
"I was in shock," McReynolds said.
"I was surprised that I was chosen. I'm doing what I like to do - coach," Skidmore said.
McReynolds is married to retired Marine Lt. Col. William McReynolds, treasurer of the Friends of San Onofre Marines.
"McReynolds is the brain and muscle of this organization. She plans, organizes and executes mass giveaways and events for the military families on the northern side of Camp Pendleton," Carlisle explained.
Both volunteers of the year received plaques; reserved parking spaces at the main commissary, Naval Hospital and post exchange for one year; a challenge coin reading "Camp Pendleton Volunteers of the Year;" and lunch for two at the South Mesa Club.
All nominees received the President's Service Award.
E-mail Lance Cpl. Carrasco at Miguel.Carrasco@usmc.mil