News

Airman earns Jefferson Award for giving back to local community

  • Published
  • By Holly Logan-Arrington
  • Robins Public Affairs

Maj. Danelle McGinnis, who works in the Air Force Legal Operations Agency’s Special Victims’ Counsel Division, has made a great difference in the community during her short time here.

The 32-year-old philanthropist from Binghamton, New York, was recently honored as Macon TV Station WGXA Fox 24’s 2018 Jefferson Award winner for donating her spare time to causes around Robins and the local community.

The award is sponsored by the Jefferson Foundation and celebrates ordinary people doing extraordinary things in their community.

“I enjoy doing volunteer work in Warner Robins because the local community is extremely supportive of the military,” McGinnis said. “I want to give back to them in any way that I can. I especially participating in Robins Company Grade Officer’s Council events because they gave my fellow officers a chance to get out in the community.”

McGinnis led a girl scout troop last year and was the president of the Robins CGOC. The CGOC hosts volunteer opportunities and professional events for company grade officers stationed at Robins.

McGinnis put together a mock-trial event, hosted by the 78th Air Base Wing Legal Office, for the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia and also led an art drive to decorate areas of Robins used by victims of sexual assault. 

“I enjoy working with children, because they learn and change so quickly,” she said. “I enjoy working with the Girl Scouts especially, because the organization focuses on teaching leadership skills to young women.”

McGinnis’ love for volunteering is no surprise. After all, it’s in her blood.

“I come from a tight-knit community in Binghamton, New York, and I have a very large extended family,” she said. “My parents and their friends are people who devote their free time to doing volunteer work and helping others. I am very grateful for having them as an example, and they are a large part of who I am.”