Local military wife wins prestigious award

As the wife of a career military man, Marks finds that volunteering is a way to give back to the men and women her husband commands. She understands the sacrifices they make, and she’s cognizant of the low pay enlisted personnel receive. She knows from the past 23 years as a military wife that unforeseen situations arise, prompting a call for help.

Marks is the wife of Col. Robert Marks, commander of the 72nd Medical Group at Tinker Air Force Base. However, the commander and his wife won’t be at Tinker much longer. They’re being transferred to Germany effective July 30.

As the result of her work, Kim Marks was honored as Tinker’s 2011 Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year. She also served as president of the Protestant Women of the Chapel program.

In her role as pantry chief, she was responsible for directing the all-volunteer staff, soliciting donations, coordinating food drives and ensuring all food was properly stocked.

In 2010, she logged more than 800 walk-in appointments and trained and managed a volunteer staff of 17 people. She also reorganized the food stock to highlight readily available health food, diet and gluten-free choices, and improved the food pantry’s storage by 50 percent.

“I didn’t even know there was a Spouse of the Year award,” she said. “I was glad to receive it, but I don’t volunteer for the accolades.”

The food pantry is designed primarily to help E1 through E6 airmen who have temporary financial problems, Marks said.

“When someone comes in, they are given enough food to feed a family for one week and they’re allowed to come back a second time if the need is there. They also receive a $50 commissary voucher,” she said.

I didn’t even know there was a Spouse of the Year award. I was glad to receive it, but I don’t volunteer for the accolades. - Kim Marks

“Some of the younger folks just have trouble managing their money.”

200 AND COUNTING

The pantry helps about 200 families a year.

“People who use it don’t want to use it,” Marks said. “They’re so appreciative that it’s available to them.”

The food pantry is open to Air Force and Navy personnel stationed at Tinker.

Marks said she was searching for ways to “plug in” when her husband was transferred to Tinker in 2008. That’s when Melinda Monson, wife of Tinker Public Affairs Director Ralph Monson, encouraged Marks to take over the food pantry duties.

“I jumped in and started doing it for her, and it’s been fun the last two years working with all the volunteers and helping people,” she said.

With the Marks heading to Germany, Melinda Monson is back at the helm as food pantry chief.

Schooled as a nurse, Marks said a professional career is almost out of the question for a military spouse.

“It’s hard to have longevity in a job. That’s one of the other reasons I volunteer. Just of the sake of keeping your sanity, it’s important to do,” she said. “Job availability is good, but when you have to move frequently, then that’s a problem. My husband says the military is still fun, but when it stops being fun, he’ll get out.”

While Col. Marks remains in the military, his wife intends to continue with her volunteerism. When they arrive in Germany, Kim Marks said her plans include volunteering at the Ramstein Air Base hospital.

Named for Joan Orr, the late wife of former Secretary of the Air Force Verne Orr, the award acknowledges a spouse who had made substantial contributions to the Air Force.

tfarley@eastword.net