Volunteer Excellence Coin Recipients

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the Corps Foundation created these awards to recognize the extraordinary service provided by volunteers, draw attention to their vast skills and contributions, and encourage an attitude of stewardship and responsibility in caring for Corps lands, facilities, and resources. The intent of the awards is to distinguish those individuals, couples, or families who give their skills, talents, and time beyond the normal call of duty and whose creditable service to the Corps has resulted in the significant enhancement to one or more of the Corps business lines.

Divisions, districts and projects should be constantly on the lookout for outstanding examples to nominate each year for the national award and the volunteer coins. Headquarters will solicit nominations during the latter part of each calendar year for the national award, with presentation of the award in the following year. The overall national award winner will receive a plaque, large coin, and certificate. Regional nominees for the national award will receive a large coin and a certificate.

Volunteers can be nominated for small and large coins at any time throughout the year to recognize outstanding achievements. When considering a volunteer or group of volunteers to receive a coin, answer the following questions as a guide. You will need to provide a short write-up and some photos to your Division PAC team representative to request a coin.

• How did this volunteer or volunteer group go above and beyond other volunteer's efforts? For example: Did they participate in a lifesaving action. Did they organize a significant event?
• How did they work with partners to improve recreation, environmental conditions or visitor interpretive facilities?
• How did the volunteer or group contribute significantly to public understanding of the Corps? (Developed a brochure, an app, cell phone interpretation, self-guided experience, podcast, consistently communicate key messages while roving, etc.)
• Did the volunteer or group help keep an area remain open that would have otherwise been closed?
• How did the volunteer or group contribute to natural resource conservation?
• September 2021 Webinar
• Volunteer Appreciation Coins
  Volunteer Coin Criteria

  Volunteer Excellence Coin Recipients 2023 NWK: Jan and Lawrence McNeil, Rathbun Lake NWK: Carissa Hatfield, Rathbun Lake NWK: Jeff Powell, Rathbun Lake SAJ: Kara and Adam Paul, Lake Okeechobee SPK: Peggy and Randy Loyd, Stanislaus River Parks SAS: Tina Carpenter, Thurmond Lake NWS: John Levesque, Lake Washington Ship Canal 2022 MVS: Mike Williamson, Wappapello Lake NAB: Andrea and Rick Moon, Tioga-Hammond and Cowansque NWP: Oregon Natural Resources Education Program and the National Wildlife Federation, Bonneville SWF: Jimmy McCue, Stillhouse Lake SPK: Charlie Parrish, Hensley Lake SPK: Donna and Sid Lindsey, Stanislaus River Parks SPK: Penny and Larry Carter, Stanislaus River Parks SPK: Chuck and Debra Richards, Stanislaus River Parks SPN: Ukiah Valley Fish and Wildlife Club, Mendocino 2021 MVK: Sidney and Grace Welch, Lake Ouachita MVK: Windell and Carolyn Belford, Lake Ouachita NWP: Melissa Gonzalez and Sean O'Connor, The Dalles SAW: Grace Iovine and Steve Terrill, Falls Lake SAW: Jeff Brewer, Falls Lake 2020 SAM: Carters Lake volunteer group SAM: Jack and Linda Croach, Allatoona Lake SAM: Warren Brawley and Ricky Whitehead, Black Warrior Tombigbee SAM: Bill and Brenda Geter, Carters Lake SWL: Luke Johns, Merrie and Preston Jackson, Rick and Tammy Leeper, Aaron and Alison Reavis, Table Rock Lake 2019 SAM: Mike Capps and Lisa Heron, Black Warrior Tombigbee SAS: Rob Beck, Dan and Judy Todd, Hubert and Wilma Bishop, David Slauenwhite, Al And Pat Bednarski SWF: Bob and Marge Newton, Waco Lake SWF: Bob Wall, Waco Lake SWF: Jim Watson, Hords Creek SWT: Steve Baker, Lake Texoma 2018 MVK: Arnold Habig, Lake Ouachita MVK: Jesse Brant Lower Mississippi River Museum Volunteers MVK: Jerry Shields, Enduring Service Award, Lake Ouachita NWP: Linda Davis, Bambi Foy, Amber Tilton, Carolyn Purcell, Linda Turner, Ron Kikel, Dr. Jean Cypher, The Dalles NWP: Wayne Gibson, The Dalles SAS: Ron and Cindy Furr, Mike and Terri Young, Carol and Bill Roy, Thurmond Lake SWL: Bill Johnston and Gale Wells, Clearwater Lake SWL: Danny and Sue Bouchard, Nimrod Lake SWL: Mike and Bonnie Johnson, Nimrod Lake SWT: Neal Majors, Kaw Lake SWT: Steve Wolley, Kaw Lake SWT: Larry Rueger, Kaw Lake SWT: Danny and Karen Neal, Copan Lake SWT: Neil and Nelly Cole, Canton Lake 2017 LRP: Cynthia Smith, Michael J Kirwin Damt LRP: Jeff Kresch, Stonewall Jacksont LRP: Doug Dinkelo, Stonewall Jacksont LRP: Davette Saeler, Stonewall Jacksont LRP: Betty and Norman Bunard, Tionestat MVR: Gene Sperry, Mississippi River Project NAB: Matt West, Tioga-Hammond & Cowanesque Lakes NWS: Susan Cannole, Lake Washington Ship Canal SAS: Richard and Jane Staie, Hartwell Lake SPK: Kris Wetzel, New Hogan Lake SWL: Robert and Susan Evans, Arkansas Post Field Office SWL: Jack and Cathie Foster, Arkansas Post Field Office SWL: Larry and Judy Weems, Arkansas Post Field Office SWL: Clarence and Nancy Capps, Arkansas Post Field Office SWT: Chet Hall, Kaw Lake SWT: Troy Blanton, John Redmond Lake SWT: Maxine Watts, Oologah Lake SWT: Goldie Simmons, Council Grove Lake 2016 LRL: Buddy and Becky Riggs, Green River Lake LRP: Art Cunningham, Loyalhanna LRP: Marge Van Tassel and Pat Schrock, Crooked Creek Lake MVK: Joe Johnson, Lake Ouachita NWK: Ed Herman, Kansas City District Lakes SPK: Buffy Murphy, Hensley Lake SPK: Evelyn Baker, Kat and Gary Bush, New Hogan Lake SWL: Tracy Stevens, Mountain Home SWL: Jerry Lochridge, Mountain Home SWL: Lorna Willis, Mountain Home and Millwood Lake 2015 LRP: Dick Armstrong, Alum Creek NAB: Evan Gross, Raystown Lake SAW: George Snowden, Cape Fear River SAW: Francis Digiano, Jordan Lake NAB: EJ and Lori Hornick, Raystown Lake NAB: Paul Jones, Jennings Randolph Lake SPK: James Johnston, Stanislaus River NWO: Ron Schwartz, Big Bend Dam NWO: Dutch and Sharon Steenhoven, Gavins Point Project NWO: Donnajo Chaney, Fort Peck Dam Dam SAM: Geri Hillegass, Allatoona Lake