Faced with the decision of whether to join the Washington Air National Guard or the Air Force Reserve after separating from active duty, Master Sgt. Tabatha Bennett didn't have to think too long or hard.

In fact, it was a no-brainer.

"I really liked the fact that the guard did more locally in cooperation with the federal mission," said Bennett, who's served as the WANG's West recruiting office supervisor since 1997. "I wanted the opportunity to give back more."

Since she made the decision to join the WANG, Bennett has worked tirelessly in the surrounding community, volunteering her time and services toward a multitude of projects and causes.

Bennett was honored for her service to the community Nov. 12 at a ceremony at the Tacoma Rotary 8 club, as she was presented with the John H. Anderson Military Citizen of the Year Award.

"There's no question that (Tabatha) devotes countless hours and boundless energy to improving our community," said George Cargill, vice-chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber created the award in the mid 1950s - named after the former Tacoma mayor and chair of the TPCC board of directors - to honor an outstanding military citizen to commemorate the civic contributions by resident military personnel.

And Bennett's civic contributions are many.

From volunteering at both of her children's schools to volunteering with the Tacoma Rescue Mission and the WANG's Youth Program, Bennett rarely has a spare moment.

"My night usually ends at around 12:30 or 1 a.m.," she said. "But I wouldn't have it any other way."

The core of her desire to volunteer closely ties in with her job as a recruiter: a feverish desire to touch other people's lives.

"You never know who you'll meet and what (impact) you can have on somebody else," Bennett said.

In wanting to relay that message to her children, Bennett took her daughter along with her to serve food at the Tacoma Rescue Mission.

"As a parent, you can't expect your children to do things if you yourself aren't doing them," she said.

Bennett's many volunteer opportunities also create the chance for her to show as many people as she can that there are lots of servicemembers doing good things.

"I don't want them to see the military as a bad thing," she said.

Bennett even uses her and her husband's computer graphics and Web design business - Digital-Creationz - to help nonprofits that cannot afford design fees.

Through all of it, Bennett still finds time to sit down to dinner with her family.

"We know that is our connecting time," she said.