By james art 
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Hampton Roads Chamber recognized local military members who have gone above and beyond to help their communities at the annual Military Citizen of the Year awards ceremony on Friday.
U.S. Air Force Tech Sergeant Helena Giamarco has been named the 2024 Military Citizen of the Year for her volunteer efforts and dedication to several local organizations.
Hampton Roads Chamber
TSgt Giammarco has many responsibilities in the US Air Force, with her primary duties being Chief of Administrative Support Section, Assistant Director of Operations, Lead Resilience Coach, and Head of French Horn Section in the Heritage of America Orchestra.
She is also extremely involved in the Hampton Roads community, spending over 150 hours of her time volunteering.
Through his work with the Peninsula Foodbank, TSgt Giammarco packs boxes of donated food and stuffed backpacks for the organization’s “Food for Kids Backpack Program.” The program aims to minimize food insecurity and help students in low-income communities on weekends and holidays.
TSgt Giammarco also volunteers with the Breaking Barriers Alliance, organizing five different cultural events. The events she coordinated celebrated the history of the Hampton Roads Native American community, educated military children and created an inclusive environment for military and civilians at Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
Her volunteer work doesn’t stop there: she raises money for Hampton Roads Toys for Tots. She also helps the nonprofit by organizing drop-off locations, scheduling warehouse deliveries and donating toys.
“Technical Sergeant Helena Giammarco was selected for this award because her impact on the community is unparalleled,” said Brian K. Stevens, president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Chamber. “Her selfless dedication and continuous service is something to be admired.”
More military coverage: Transportation Brigade at Ft. Eustis worked constantly to keep the army moving
Transportation Brigade at Ft. Eustis worked constantly to keep the army moving
For more than 70 years, the Hampton Roads Chamber has presented the award to a military member who has made a significant impact through community service outside of their military duties.
This year’s impressive group of nominees included 14 local service members, each recommended by their command.
A list of the 2024 nominees, who were also recognized for their volunteer work at the ceremony, is below:
- Musician boss Vincent Beard
- Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Petty Officer 1st Class Isis Bogan
- Equipment Operator Petty Officer 1st Class Kenyon Clark
- Petty Officer Yeoman 1st Class LA Shonda Daniels
- Culinary Specialist Petty Officer 2nd Class Ross Goodrich
- Yeoman Petty Officer 2nd Class Austin Heiderer
- Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer 3rd Class Lois Kim
- Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer 1st Class Angel Lisboa Hernandez
- Air Controller Chief Warrant Officer William Nodin
- Machinist Petty Officer 1st Class Efren Ortiz-Colon
- Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ian Parker
- Captain Zachary Rausch
- Air Controller Petty Officer 2nd Class Sean Shepherd
Congratulations to this year’s nominees!