USO Volunteer of the Year Award

Sergeant Timothy Donovan - USO Vicenza (Representing USO Europe Affiliates)

Leadership is about more than doing what’s required. Often, it’s about what you do when there are no requirements, and this is a perfect description of USO Volunteer of the Year, Sergeant Timothy Donovan.

When he arrived in Vicenza as an Army Specialist, his first stop was the USO. Tim made an immediate impression with his “can do” attitude by answering phones, repairing gaming room equipment and cleaning the center from top to bottom. His commitment to improving USO services led him to initiate the highly popular “Football Night” so troops could watch football live on the center’s 50” television screen. He coordinated volunteers for community events such as the Back to School Bash and Halloween celebrations and organized gaming and rock band tournaments during holidays.

Donovan’s commitment to service extended far beyond the USO when he volunteered for a tour of duty in Afghanistan in early 2009. When that tour ended his first stop was again the Vicenza USO. SPC Donovan soon became Sergeant Donovan and he once again demonstrated his leadership by volunteering for a second assignment in Afghanistan in late 2009.

His unquestionable commitment to lifting the spirits of America’s troops makes him the model USO Volunteer of the Year in every sense.