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South Carolina National Guard family programs seek volunteers for unit events and family support
Summary
Army and Air National Guard family programs in South Carolina told Family Guidance podcast they need volunteers for send-offs, family days, deployment support and recurring program roles; training is available for short-term and long-term volunteers, and officials provided contact and recognition details.
Army and Air National Guard family program leaders in South Carolina urged civilians, military family members and retirees to volunteer to support unit events, deployment-era services and ongoing family readiness work.
"All services from that program are free to our service members and our families," said Daniel Contreras, who identified himself as director for the military and family readiness program for the Army National Guard, describing counseling, financial-assistance referrals, youth programming and partnerships with Military OneSource.
Contreras told hosts Charlotte Stillwell and Kathy Bridgers that volunteer roles range from one-day tasks—bringing coffee on drill weekends or staffing a send-off table—to more formal, appointed roles that assist commanders and family representatives. He described the command-directed structure of unit volunteer programs, saying commanders manage volunteer lists at the unit level and family representatives provide training and oversight.
Dr. Nick Thomas, director of Airman and Family Readiness for the South Carolina Air National Guard, described a similar mix of education and event work on the Air side and said volunteers are especially important because many Air Guard family readiness positions remain "one deep." "If you have an issue or a problem, we have a resource or a solution," Thomas said, urging people to contact his office for onboarding and assistance.
Both leaders described how the Yellow Ribbon program and other deployment-support efforts still provide predeployment and reintegration resources, even if some events have been downsized. Contreras said volunteers help distribute deployment resources such as neck pillows and care kits at departure ceremonies and support family days, while Thomas noted volunteers help run large base events that would be difficult to staff otherwise.
Training is available in two tracks: short-term, day-of volunteer onboarding for people who already have base access, and longer-term roles that include online or in-person training through Military OneSource and formal liaison programs. Thomas said he manages onboarding for the Air side and provided a public contact path: a desk line (803) 649-8089 and a public affairs form on the South Carolina Air National Guard website.
Both officials described volunteer recognition programs: state and National Guard Bureau awards, commander-level certificates, and local initiatives. Thomas said he has implemented a QR-code system to log volunteer hours for reporting and awards; Contreras cited National Guard Bureau certificates and community recognition programs for outstanding volunteers.
Officials emphasized accessibility: volunteers can be spouses, dependents in youth programs, retirees, veterans or community partners without military affiliation. Contreras said, "Our family reps are out there encouraging that the commanders establish a program... and influence that volunteers stay and retain." Thomas added a broader call to community: "No one is alone in this fight of military service and balancing your work life."
The program leaders asked listeners who want to volunteer to contact their local armory or family representative. The episode said contact names (including Dr. Nick Thomas and family rep Audra Harmon) and the phone number above would be posted with the episode listing.
The podcast closed with hosts reminding listeners that volunteering supports unit readiness and community well-being and noting the next episode topic.
