Enlisted village resident receives volunteerism award Published Aug. 25, 2008 SHALIMAR, Fla. (AFRNS) -- When people make it to 81 years old, they may be tempted to take it easy, but for one resident of the Air Force Enlisted Village, kicking back is the last thing she wants. Instead, Dian Haynes has made volunteerism her call to duty. Mrs. Haynes was recently recognized by the Florida Association of Homes and Services for the Aging as the association's volunteer of the year. Mrs. Haynes moved to the Air Force Enlisted Village here in 2005. The village is a nonprofit charity that provides a home for the surviving spouses of enlisted Airmen. When she moved, Mrs. Haynes had experienced six deaths in her family within a very short time period, including her husband. A friend in Pennsylvania suggested she move to the AFEV to get away from the grief she was experiencing. Good fortune was on her side and an open apartment was available almost immediately, and once she arrived at her new home, Haynes got involved by volunteering as a receptionist. It was not long before the AFEV's maintenance superintendent came by with a flier requesting volunteers in his shop. Mrs. Haynes went to the maintenance department the next day and asked what needed to be done. She shooed all the men out of the office and set to work cleaning and scrubbing the area. It proved to be the perfect fit. June 1 marked three years Mrs. Haynes has volunteered 40 hours per week. "God has blessed me. Working in maintenance saved my life," she said. The multiple family deaths had left her depressed. She said that the maintenance technicians never treated her like "just" a volunteer, but like a regular employee, keeping her up to date on all the staff meetings and everything that needed to be done. Mrs. Haynes is just what the maintenance department needed, said retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James C. Binnicker, AFEV President and CEO. "By taking the calls, she frees up the five technicians to do their jobs, rather than being bogged down answering phones. "Her voice is the first one a resident hears when they need something fixed, and Dian's voice always has a smile," said Chief Binnicker Andrew Crispin, the maintenance superintendent, said Mrs. Haynes brings a special perspective to the job. "She's a caring individual who lives here herself and knows the apartment layouts personally," Mr. Crispin said. "She also understands the lingo of our average resident - 'The thing-a-ma-bob in my sink is broken' - and can decipher that information into a recognizable work order for the technicians." Mrs. Haynes said she knows that some residents call with minor problems they could easily fix themselves, but are just lonely and need someone to talk to. But that does not bother her, she takes the time to listen and help no matter what the situation. The amount of savings that Dian has contributed to the AFEV by volunteering her time is approximately $60,000, Chief Binnicker said. "We're so proud of Dian," Chief Binnicker said. "And we're blessed to have her here. No one deserves the FAHSA award more." Binnicker was also recognized by FAHSA this year, receiving their "Executive of the Year" Award. FAHSA was established in 1962 as a Florida not-for-profit corporation. Its purpose is to provide leadership, advocacy and education for retirement housing and nursing home communities that serve the needs of Florida's retirees. The association is comprised of more than 500 members, including about 370 retirement housing communities, assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities and nursing homes. More than 85,000 older persons reside in FAHSA-member communities. For more information on the Air Force Enlisted Village, visit www.afenlistedwidows.org or call (800) 258-1413.