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Shaw NCO named Military Citizen of the Year

  • Published
  • By Tarsha Storey
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Each year the Sumter Chamber of Commerce recognizes a military member for doing outstanding things in the community. 

This year's Military Citizen of the Year is Tech. Sgt. Donta Trapps, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron. 

Sgt. Trapps said he joined the Air Force to make a difference, not just in the military, but also in the community surrounding the base. This difference started at Shaw when he became part of the 20th CES First 5 committee. The committee decided to adopt a local elementary school. 

As part of the adoption, Sgt. Trapps said he volunteered his time to mentor and tutor students as well as taking time to be a "big brother" to some of the more difficult students. He headed up a school supplies program that generated more than $2,000 worth of supplies for less than fortunate children. While working with the school's principal, Marie Newton-Tabon, he also set up a pen pal program so the children could correspond with deployed Airmen. 

"Every week he volunteers at least three hours in Sumter or on base," said James Tucker, 20th CES, utilities manager. "He’s one of the best NCOs in CE.” 

Sgt. Trapps took his desire to make a difference a step further when he volunteered to spearhead a tutoring program at the library. He spent more than 300 hours starting the program, said Lt. Col. Stephen Hawkins, 20th CES commander. 

The next volunteer opportunity Sgt. Trapps said he pursued was with the Sumter County Commission of Drugs and Alcohol outpatient alcohol program. 

"This program is near and dear to my heart because I have friends and family on drugs," said Sgt. Trapps. 

Because his bachelor's and master's degrees are in counseling, Sgt. Trapps said he was able to assist the commission with various relapse prevention groups within the organization. He also works with the Wateree Community Service Center as a group mediator for their intensive outpatient treatment groups. 

Even though volunteering to help people struggling with addictive behavior may seem like a lot to do, Sgt. Trapps said every Airman should volunteer to help in some way. 

"Try to get involved and advance yourself within your community. You need to get involved with your neighbors. You may need a neighbor one day," he said. 

Sgt. Trapps said his ability to volunteer with the local community is also a testament to the relationship the base has with the city of Sumter. 

"The Shaw and Sumter relationship is like a brotherhood. This is the way communities are supposed to be," said Sgt. Trapps.