ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- An Ellsworth spouse received an Air Force level award for her contributions to the community through volunteerism on Sept. 17, 2017.
Chasity Mitchell, the family matters coordinator with the Air Force Sergeants Association and an active key spouse in the 28 Maintenance Squadron, received the Volunteer Excellence Award for her outstanding support to the Ellsworth community.
The award recognizes federal civilians, family members, military retirees, and federal retirees with exceptional long-term community support – not just a single act or achievement.
“I volunteer because I’m part of the Air Force family,” Mitchell said. “I feel like I’m truly a part of something when I’m volunteering! It gives me that sense of purpose, a sense of belonging.”
Mitchell, spouse of Tech Sgt. Ryan Mitchell, a noncommissioned officer of the avionics support section assigned to the 28th Maintenance Squadron, explained that her overall goal is to make a difference – it’s not about recognition. She does this to create open communication that can help bring the community closer together.
“When you become involved in these different organizations you get your own identity,” Mitchell said. “Yes, I’m here to support my husband, but at the same time I want to make a difference. I’m a key spouse for the 28th MXS and I take great pride in giving them direction, insight and advice.”
Over the course of the past four years, Mitchell was actively involved in many associations and committees, such as the Annual Awards Committee as the assistant decorating coordinator. She organized and executed the first Halloween Festival and had more than 75 attendees. Mitchell also held the position of President of the Ellsworth Spouses Club, and she currently holds the title of family matters coordinator with the AFSA.
To earn the award, the nominee must be significant in character, produce tangible results and reflect favorably on the Air Force. It was for these reasons that Maj. Phillip Rehmert, the commander of the 28th MXS, nominated her in full belief she would make it to the top.
“We nominated her as a volunteer within the squadron,” Rehmert said. “Not only did she win at the squadron level, but she then won at the group level, then the wing level; and ended up being the winner of the 2017 Volunteer of the Air Force.”
Volunteering a large amount of her own personal time, Rehmert recognized her hard work and the excellence she puts into everything she sets out to achieve.