The winner of the U.S. Army Yongsan Garrison’s volunteer of the year award has put his giving spirit down to his family.

Ned Stoll, who won the award at a ceremony last week at the army base in Seoul’s Itaewon area, explained how he had followed his mother’s efforts to help others.

“My father died when I was 5 years old, leaving my mother to raise me and my younger sister. She led by example in helping the community and giving of her time and effort to help those in need,” he said to the audience at the ceremony on April 20.

“I remember one Thanksgiving holiday when some members of our church brought us a box of food and a turkey, telling my mom that they knew she had lost her husband and had two children to raise.

“My mom said there was a family a few blocks away that were in worse shape and lived in a house with a dirt floor. At the encouragement of my mom, the church group took the food to the other family.

“I never went without food or a roof over my head but I always learned that no matter how bad your situation looked, there were always others in worse shape.”

Stoll has been volunteering for about 15 hours each week since moving to Korea from Germany in March 1999. He helps with the Korea District Boy Scouts of America, South Post Chapel AWANA Clubs, U.S. Ski Patrol Asia, Men of the Morning Calm, School Advisory Council for Seoul American High School and is a South Post Chapel Cornerstone Congregation usher and Parish Council member.

He has also devoted time to weekend field trips and spent two weeks in the summer as Boy Scout camp director.

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Hawkins, garrison chaplain for USAG Yongsan, nominated Stoll for the Volunteer of the Year award because of his tireless dedication.

“Dr. Stoll has for years been the driving force and most passionate and faithful leadership for our Post-Wide Children’s Character Building Ministry called AWANA,” Hawkins said. “He has ministered to, literally, several thousand children.”

Stoll said he especially enjoyed volunteering for the Boy Scouts to give back some of the benefits the organization gave him while growing up.

He added: “Volunteering is not a destination; it is a journey that really never ends. I encourage everyone to consider taking a step, one at a time by looking around our community to see activities, organizations and events that are in need of volunteer help.

“Can you imagine what a truly wonderful community it would be if everyone that could shared this journey and looked for ways to make a difference? You can go through life either watching or participating. Trust me when I say, participating is the best way to go.”

Garrison commander for U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan Col. William Huber praised the almost 1,400 people who form the quiet volunteer army on base during the 2012 Area II Volunteer of the Year award ceremony.

Gen. James D. Thurman, commanding general of the U.S. forces in Korea, said: “Each and every day, there is something that is going on around this post.

“It might be a child scout meeting, a family readiness group gathering, a Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers function, a Red Cross volunteer opportunity, or a number of other daily activities that go on around Yongsan. These events would not be successful without the folks that work behind the scenes, our volunteers. The force behind the force.”

The runner up for the Volunteer of the Year award was Rebecca Hayes. Vivian Park was awarded in the under-18 category, while Jiwon Ye was the winning Korean national. David and Stephanie Ayersman won the civilian category, Wayne Clark the retiree category and Capt. Severo Palacios the active duty category. Eugenio Dominguez won the family member volunteer award.

By Kirsty Taylor  (kirstyt@heraldcorp.com)