Five community members were recognized at a luncheon held Sept. 25 at the West Point Club for their volunteer contributions to the community.

"The volunteers are selected by the Volunteer Advisory Council based on nomination packages submitted by volunteer supervisors," said the U.S. Military Academy’s Installation Volunteer Coordinator Sharon Kane.

The following West Point community members were recognized at the luncheon:

Janell Coker. Coker has been an active volunteer for more than 15 years and started volunteering at USMA upon her arrival here in May 2000.

She is a core instructor for the Army Family Team Building program and has been active in AFTB for six years. At USMA, she is the AFTB volunteer program manager responsible for teaching classes and offering professional development

In addition to her AFTB service, Coker was a facilitator for the West Point Army Family Action Plan in Oct. 2000 and is the USMA nominee for delegate to the DA AFAP conference scheduled for March 2002. She is the co-vice president for programs with the West Point Women’s Club and served as the membership chairperson last year helping with all of the club’s fundraisers. She is a religious education instructor for the Catholic Chapel, a member of the Parish Council and the program chairperson for the Military Council for Catholic Women. She also volunteers at the West Point School.

"I volunteer because it allows me to give back to the community," Coker said. "My husband and I have six children and the Army has been there for us in so many ways."

Bree Anderson. Like Coker, Anderson volunteers in similar areas. She is a board member for the Christian Women of the Chapels, a certified AFTB instructor and a volunteer in the Army Community Service relocation program. She is the co-vice president for programs for the WPWC and has also volunteered at the West Point School. She has been an Army volunteer for seven years and a USMA volunteer for 18 months.

"Volunteering gives me a great sense of community. I feel it is important to work together to improve our surroundings. It also gives me a chance to meet new people at the same time," Anderson said.

Lynda Morgan. Morgan serves as the coordinator for the CWOC outreach ministry. She, too, is an AFTB instructor as well as being on the Parent-Teacher Organization Board for the West Point Schools serving as the volunteer coordinator. She is the Wild West Chairperson for 2002 and a member of the WPWC Board of Directors. Also active at the WPES, she volunteers for the kindergarten reading program.

Morgan has volunteered for more than seven years, including a year at West Point.

"I love to volunteer. It is truly something I enjoy doing. It is my way of helping young and new soldiers’ spouses to learn about the Army and their community," said Morgan.

Eileen Stewart. Stewart, a resident of Westchester County works at Westchester Medical Center and is affectionately known as the "cake lady" of Most Holy Trinity Chapel.

Stewart began baking cakes, cookies and brownies when her son attended West Point 10 years ago, and has continued preparing her culinary delights for the six years since his graduation. During this time she has baked 50-60 different cakes, cookies and brownies and faithfully provides them to cadets every Wednesday night during Cadet Basic Training.

Barbara Begany. Devoting nearly 30 years to Constitution Island, Begany began volunteering in the early 1970’s. Currently, her primary responsibility is for the flower arrangements at Warner House. Over the course of her volunteer career at West Point, Begany has logged more than 2,000 hours.

USMA Garrison Commander, Col. Anne Horner, presented Army Certificates of Appreciation to the volunteers in honor of their service.

Volunteer Spotlight Luncheon’s are held quarterly. The next is scheduled for Dec. 11. Nomination packages should be submitted to the IVC by Oct. 23. For more information, call 938-3655.