Malmstrom spouse named AFGSC Joan Orr Spouse of the Year

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katrina Heikkinen
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  By volunteering countless hours operating the Airman's Attic, leading more than 400 volunteers and spearheading various drives for local charities, one Malmstrom Air Force Base spouse has earned command-wide recognition.

Rhonda Hall, spouse of Senior Master Sgt. Jerry Hall, 341st Communications Squadron first sergeant, was named the Air Force Association Joan Orr Spouse of the Year for all of Air Force Global Strike Command during a ceremony at the Grizzly Bend on Jan. 24.

The award, sponsored by the AFA, was named after the late Joan Orr, wife of former Secretary of the Air Force Verne Orr. The award recognizes significant contributions made by non-military spouses of Airmen.

Nominations are required to include specific examples in more than nine areas including participation in base and community activities, self-improvement efforts and leadership.

"I've been really blessed with the opportunities I've had since we got here," Hall said. "I gave up a really nice job to move here to stay with my family when we got this assignment. Everything happens for a reason and I think the only reason I couldn't get a job until Christmas is because I was needed somewhere. By using my background as a former Air Force senior non-commissioned officer, I knew what I needed to do to get volunteers. Knowing that I've helped someone find clothes for their child or help an Airman find furniture is a good feeling."

Hall distinguished herself as a key spouse from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2012, by volunteering as a 341st CS Key Spouse and serving as a member of the Loy Elementary School Parent Teacher Association. While serving as a local PTA treasurer, she created continuity and budgetary spreadsheets to ensure 100 percent compliancy with Internal Revenue Service laws. While serving as the Malmstrom Spouses' Club vice president, she co-led planning efforts for an annual fundraiser, which netted more than $12,000 for scholarships. She also helped raised nearly $3,000 to purchase playground equipment, affecting more than 400 students.

In total, she donated nearly 900 volunteer hours at more than 49 events and helped raise more than $15,000 for the base and local community.

"What Rhonda's done this past year is so tremendous," said Col. H.B. Brual, 341st Missile Wing commander. "A lot of volunteers are involved at Malmstrom and we all understand it's a team effort, but with part of every team, there's a leader. I just want to say thank you very much for what you do at Malmstrom, for your local community, for the school district and our Airmen."