2008 USO Volunteer of the Year - Fourth Quarter Nominees |
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2007 Volunteer of Year Award Winner|
Kimberly Olms - Stateside Affiliates' Volunteer of the Quarter
Kimberly Olms, a volunteer at USO Great Lakes in Illinois, is the Birthday Brigade Coordinator. As such, she is instrumental to the “Happy Birthday to my Deployed Hero” Care Package program, making sure every order is filled completely and including personal touches that make the receiving service member know he or she is cared for.
Kimberly’s energetic presence at USO programs and events ensures a high level of proficiency and effectiveness. She brings community, heart and soul into everything she does for the USO. When a well-loved program was in danger of exceeding its budgeted funds, Kimberly rose to the challenge and initiated several grassroots fundraisers to ensure the program’s continuation.
A volunteer since February 2008, Kim has devoted more than 140 hours to the USO. She exemplifies all the best virtues of a USO volunteer: she is compassionate, steadfast, professional, mission-driven and, most importantly, she encourages those around her. For her tireless dedication and for rising to every challenge, Kimberly Olms is the USO Affiliates’ Volunteer of the Quarter.
Dianna Bostick - United States USO Volunteer of the Quarter
Dianna Bostick was volunteering three days a week at the USO Gulf Coast center, when the need arose for an administrative assistant in the office. Dianna’s hard work and dedication made her a clear choice to fill this volunteer position. While most individuals might not be willing to dedicate themselves to a job without monetary compensation, Dianna goes above and beyond the call of duty, cheerfully working nearly 20 hours per week and representing the USO at various community events.
In addition to her role as the office administrative assistant, Dianna serves as a shift team leader to ensure nearly 30 volunteers are on task and have the resources they need to be productive. She was the first volunteer to assist the programs manager in piloting the shift team leader program, and she takes on tasks that had been too time consuming for the director and programs manager. She assists with reporting, inventory, scheduling and a host of other tasks.
Because of Dianna’s dedication and selflessness, the USO Gulf Coast runs much smoother than ever before. She has shared her knowledge of computers with other volunteers and staff, and she constantly inspires and motivates those around her. For these reasons and so many more, Dianna Bostick is the USO Stateside Volunteer of the Quarter.
Edwin Rodriquez - Pacific Region USO Volunteer of the Quarter
Edwin Rodriquez has earned the nickname “Grill Master” around USO Camp Humphreys, Korea. Edwin attends almost every USO event and volunteers to take charge of grilling all the food being served. On top of his barbeque skills, Edwin has been known around the USO to fill propane tanks, assemble furniture and grills, donate needed items, provide tables and chairs for events and promote USO programs and services.
Even with a full time job, Edwin still finds time to volunteer during lunch hours, after work and on weekends. He sometimes will adjust his personal schedule to support USO programs. Because of his time and efforts, USO Camp Humphreys is able to keep program costs low, while providing top-notch services for the community.
Edwin is quick to educate soldiers and community members on everything the USO has to offer. His desire to create a positive environment for soldiers and family members at Camp Humphreys has shown through his continued efforts. This is why the USO Pacific Region and USO Camp Humphreys are proud to name Edwin as their volunteer of the quarter.
Douglas Yasenovsky - Southwest Asia USO Volunteer of the Quarter
Being a volunteer sometimes means giving up one’s precious free time, but when the volunteer is a deployed service member that devotion and sacrifice is even more pronounced. Douglas Yasenovsky, a volunteer at USO Camp Virginia, Kuwait, has gone above and beyond to ensure his fellow service men and women have a place to relax and call their home away from home.
As a convoy gunner, Doug typically goes on tactical maneuvers for two days at a time. Regardless of his time of return, Doug arrives at the USO to help with cleaning before the center opens. At times, Doug has gone without sleep after a mission to ensure fellow service members were being taken care of at the USO center.
Doug’s desire to run the center’s poker and Xbox 360 gaming events has helped the center staff establish a regular base of competitors, some of whom have since become USO volunteers as well! Doug actively sought out volunteers from the base, to relieve the burden on the USO staff. In his five months of service with the USO, Doug has made a lasting impact on USO Camp Virginia. For Doug’s dedication on the USO mission and his fellow service members, the USO Southwest Asia is proud to name him Volunteer of the Quarter.
Edna Wood - Europe's USO Volunteer of the Quarter
When the USO Naples at NSA Gricignano, Italy, turned into a volunteer-operated center, Edna Wood spearheaded the campaign to recruit and manage the volunteer force needed to reopen the facility.
In addition to scheduling and managing the all-volunteer staff at Gricignano, Edna has revamped the center office, rearranging furniture, producing new signage and providing a thorough house cleaning. Most mornings, she ensures fresh coffee and baked goods are available for center patrons. As a bilingual volunteer, Edna also provides assistance with understanding and resolving issues with host nation items, such as electricity and phone bills for service members and their family members.
In just three months, Edna has volunteered nearly 800 hours at the USO center. Even in times of personal hardship, she has maintained a positive attitude and set an example for the other volunteers. USO Naples is fortunate to count Edna Wood as a member of its volunteer force, and is proud to recognize her as USO Europe’s Volunteer of the Quarter.