25 Mar 2024 Military spouse of the year named

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE — Danielle Alford, LRAFB spouse and mother, has been recognized as the Air Force winner of the national Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year award. She currently serves as a Military OneSource outreach assistant at the base.

The AFI Military Spouse of the Year program, established in 2008, honors the contributions of military spouses across all branches of service and recognizes their dedication to the military community and the nation.

Alford attributed her success to her upbringing in a community-involved family. She said she developed a deep appreciation for making a meaningful impact on others at an early age.

“My parents taught me the values of community involvement and understanding,” said Alford. “My mother was a huge volunteer and volunteered for the Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused children; my twin sister, brother, and I, as a teen were all involved in it.”

Alford added that she sees her life’s journey as a continuous exploration of learning and discovery. She said she aspires to pass on her values to her family, particularly her two daughters, fostering a legacy of compassion and proactive contributions to society.

While at Yokota Air Base, Japan, she decided to utilize her master’s degree in healthcare administration and joined the Red Cross as a hospital chairman . There, she volunteered over 890 hours. She facilitated the placement of volunteers within the hospital and medical group while helping individuals maintain their clinical skills and resumes.

From 2016 to 2020, Alford led the Red Cross Hospital Volunteer Program, placing over 123 volunteers in diverse departments within the 374th Medical Group, saving them $400,000. In addition to contributing 216 hours of service to various organizations such as the Key Spouse program, private organizations, and the spouses club, Alford mentioned that she also volunteered as a guest speaker teaching English to local Japanese individuals.