2009 Regional Volunteers of the Year |
|
U.S. Volunteer of the Year: Terry Grimes
USO
The work of Terry Grimes is valued at USO of North Carolina-Raleigh Durham International Airport (USO-NC RDU). Terry tracks and maintains the volunteer calendar, holds volunteer interviews and training sessions and ensures the center is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Beyond her volunteer coordinator duties, she also serves as a member of the USO of NC Speakers Bureau and the Salute to Freedom Gala Committee.
Terry routinely volunteers more than 60 hours a month at the RDU Center. She created a volunteer management and training program that allows the center to better serve the needs of our service members and their families. This online system makes it easier for the center to track and log hours, retrieve applications and has become a template for other centers to use. Terry’s detailed understanding of the airport and airline personnel and operations also is very helpful to the center.
Service to our troops is her passion and the focus of her efforts to continually improve the volunteer system. Even in the most difficult of circumstances, Terry always steps up to assist troops in need. We applaud the work of Terry Grimes and proudly name her USO Stateside Volunteer of the Year!
Europe Volunteer of the Year: U.S. Army Specialist Timothy Donovan
USO
U.S. Army Specialist Timothy Donovan devotes his free time to volunteering at the USO in Vicenza, Italy. He works as a full-time active duty soldier, and goes to the USO every day at lunch and after work, helping customers at the front desk or cleaning the center before it closes each night.
SPC Donovan always says “yes!” when asked to support the USO. He has worked every event since he began volunteering in July 2008, and has coordinated the volunteer manpower needed to support those events. He has had such a positive impact on the other soldiers around him!
Recently, SPC Donovan initiated Football Night for the soldiers. He has stayed very late to keep the center open late when games are on, so everyone can enjoy the entire games. He always finishes what he starts, and has helped make the center a better environment for those we serve. Congratulations to SPC Timothy Donovan on being the USO Europe Volunteer of the Year!
Southwest Asia Volunteer of the Year: Master at Arms, Second Class Leslie Ferguson
USO
Master at Arms, Second Class Leslie Ferguson, has been a part of the USO Camp Buehring family for 19 months. An active duty military police officer, he holds the record for volunteering more than 350 hours to USO Camp Buehring.
An avid participant in gaming programs at Kuwait location, MA2 Ferguson does a lot to make sure the center’s game consoles are running well for the many service members who use them. He’s processed the relevant warranties and put in place a system for tracking each console’s maintenance. MA2 Ferguson also built an entire shelving unit to provide better access to the center’s Bistro kitchen area.
MA2 Ferguson has given his time to the USO even when he isn’t on volunteer duty. While on duty as a police officer, he regularly stops by the USO to make sure everything is under control. His exceptional service has encouraged others to volunteer at USO Camp Buehring. Ferguson’s positive leadership is very motivating and his USO co-workers perform better because of his efforts!
Pacific Volunteer of the Year: Ricardo “Ricky” AlonsoLopez
USO
Ricardo “Ricky” Alonso Lopez, a volunteer at the Guam USO, is an active duty Navy Corpsman working full time at the Naval Hospital. In the last four months alone, Ricky has volunteered nearly 200 hours with the USO! He also is personally responsible for having recruited a group of Navy sailors who regularly volunteer at USO Guam events.
Ricky’s dedication to the USO is clear to those around him and those who patronize the center. He recently purchased a table, tablecloth, chair, candle, place setting, vase and framed tributes to create a POW/MIA table memorial at the USO Guam. He celebrated the unveiling by hosting a party, where he also encouraged attendees to donate to the center.
Ricky steps in to support programs and help with center housekeeping, which enables the staff to devote time to other projects. Whether it’s assisting with serving 500 troops at a USO dinner or cleaning up the center, Ricky’s infectious enthusiasm is always evident. Congratulations to Ricky Alonso Lopez on being the USO Pacific Volunteer of the Year!