81st Training Wing recognizes 3 volunteers with Air Force awards Published April 21, 2011 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 81st Training Wing honored three of its top volunteers April 14 with the Air Force Volunteer Excellence Award during Keesler's annual volunteer recognition ceremony. The award recognizes federal civilians, family members and military and federal retirees who perform outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct and consequential nature. This year's recipients are Kim Rich, Gloria Turner and Ainsley Gottrich. Mrs. Rich, who's married to Staff Sgt. Thomas Rich, 338th Training Squadron, was responsible for reviving the weekly Mommy and Me play group for preschoolers last year. She's responsible for planning creative and fun activities for more than 20 toddlers each week. "Since the program is currently nomadic, Kim must plan weeks in advance and call ahead to various locations for upcoming events the moms and children want to attend," said family advocacy's Donna Gibson, who submitted the nomination. "She plans activities that are easy enough for a 2-year-old, yet stimulating enough to hold the attention and imagination of a 4-year-old. "Although extremely busy with an infant and young child of her own, Kim is making contacts regarding a solution for a permanent home for the playgroup," Ms. Gibson added. "She is dedicated, hardworking, dependable and conscientious in sending out an advanced calendar of events for the playgroup and ensuring all moms involved are notified of any changes to the schedule in a timely manner." Mrs. Turner is married to CSC employee Tony Turner, a retired master sergeant, Her daughter is Staff Sgt. Jan Randolph, previously assigned to the 335th TRS and now stationed at Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. Mrs. Turner was nominated by Master Sgt. James Messer, 81st TRW staff agencies first sergeant. Sergeant Messer is vice president of the Keesler Top III, sponsors of Airman's Attic. "As Airman's Attic manager, she volunteered 875 hours, working late nights and some weekends to renovate the new facility, adding a child play area and increasing stock by 300 percent," Sergeant Messer pointed out. "She's increased both the customer base and operating hours four-fold. She encourages young spouses during their husband's deployments and frequently watches the children for three of our families." Mrs. Turner also delivered 1,500 Christmas stockings for base shift workers in the past decade, prepared baked goods for 335th TRS fundraisers and donated stuffed animals for the 81st Training Group's Teddy Bear Run. Mrs. Gottrich, spouse of Lt. Col. Daniel Gottrich, 338th TRS commander, was nominated by Master Sgt. Charles Gallaher, the squadron's first sergeant. "Mrs. Gottrich excelled as our primary cheerleader, event organizer and mentor to both permanent party spouses and young spouses of student Airman at the beginning of their careers," Sergeant Gallaher said. "She organized a quarterly student spouse orientation program, reenergized our unit's long-dormant spouses program, solicited student and spouse volunteers for community activities and hosted a 'Mommies to Be' group for 14 pregnant student wives." She planned the squadron's Easter and Valentine's Day parties, served as a booster club mentor, was a story time volunteer at McBride Library, coached a preschool basketball team at the youth center and provided foster care for stray pets for the local humane society.