January 12, 2023
Julie Moses, RDN, has built a career in the food service industry over many years and currently is the culinary director at an HHS account in Illinois. A few years ago, Julie found a way to combine her passion for food service with her decades-long passion for her local Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Squadron. She began volunteering her time in the kitchen at the organization’s annual summer camp, National Emergency Services Academy (NESA).
CAP is a U.S. Air Force auxiliary with its origins in the early days of World War II. The organization exists to mobilize civil aviation resources and volunteers for search and rescue missions and to aid their communities in times of disaster. In addition, the organization promotes the aviation industry and related fields through STEM education and leadership training through its cadet program.
Julie volunteers year-round as an instructor in aerial photography and as the financial officer for her local chapter. Then in the summer, she directs the cadet kitchen volunteers as they prepare 300-400 meals—including 30-60 special diet accommodations— three times a day, for two weeks during NESA.
When talking about volunteering in the kitchen at NESA, Julie says, “It’s like, well, this is a breath of fresh air. I come home physically exhausted. But by the end of the summer, when everything gets back to normal, I'm asking when I'm going to camp again!”
Recently, Julie received the Commander's Commendation Award for her volunteer work as an instructor. This award is given to individuals who display exceptional service that is integral to the success of the program and who go above and beyond the call of duty. Though Julie prefers to be in the background, working in the kitchen, she was greatly honored to be recognized by the national commander for her years of service.
When talking about what she enjoys most about volunteering with this organization, Julie said, “It allows me to serve my country without necessarily [being] in the military. Everything that we’re taught and we learn is Air Force based but we’re not a part of the service. I feel like this provides a service and if you go to the Civil Air Patrol website you will see the number of saves across the country. [I have done] search and rescue, looking for downed airplanes, as well as disaster relief with Hurricane Matthew in North Carolina. It just gives me a sense of purpose.”
In 2022, CAP reports saving 108 lives and performing 90% of the inland search missions assigned by the Air Force. The overwhelming impact of the organization's work is what keeps Julie going back to serve again and again.
Julie hopes that others at HHS might find an opportunity to use their skills to serve CAP as well. You can find volunteer opportunities or become a member of any of the nearly 1,500 CAP squadrons throughout the U.S. on their website.
Tag(s):
Team Member Stories