Volunteer of the Year - Third Quarter Nominees

 

Lacey Smith - Europe USO Volunteer of the Quarter

 

Retired Marine Lacey Smith is a familiar face at the USO lounge at Capodichino Air Terminal in Naples, Italy. Despite his full time job, Lacey volunteers for six hours at the USO every Wednesday. Since joining the volunteer team in 2008, he has logged more than 500 volunteer hours! He is involved in many USO projects and takes good care of the service members and their families who visit the center.

Lacey ensures transiting passengers receive excellent service from the USO, going out of his way to ensure visiting troops can use a computer or call loved ones back home. He makes sure hot, fresh coffee and snacks are available at all times. Lacey supports current USO programs and he comes up with new initiatives for the center to enact. He has proposed a “Wednesday Evening Home Cooked Meal” program for service members to enjoy hot soup or homemade pasta. He also is working with the Navy’s Bachelor Enlisted Quarters manager to help improve USO programs for single troops.

Lacey’s charisma and positive attitude are contagious! As a result of his new ideas and optimistic outlook on volunteering, his fellow volunteers are more involved and dedicated. Nothing is impossible to Lacey, and he always finds a way to help others. USO Naples is lucky to have him on the volunteer force!

 

Bob and Jeanie Quinn - United States USO Volunteers of the Quarter

 

Bob and Jeanie Quinn are a husband and wife volunteer team at the USO O’Hare International Airport center in Chicago. Together, they have logged more than 600 volunteer hours since the beginning of 2009. While they are usually only scheduled for one seven-hour volunteer shift per week, they average closer to 25 hours per week with the USO.

The Quinns coordinate the delivery of sandwiches, snacks and other treats to the center. Several times a week, Bob and Jeanie leave their home in the early morning to visit local food retailers to collect donated baked goods. They stock a cargo van full of bread, cakes, pies, and cookies, and deliver the items to the center. These regular food deliveries keep USO O’Hare stocked with supplies essential for homecomings, holidays and busy day-to-day operations.

In addition to baked goods, the Quinns have secured a weekly donation of fresh flowers from a local vendor, helping to create a home-like atmosphere in the center. The Quinns consistently reach out to donors, engaging them in the USO’s mission and message of support. Their positive outlook keeps donors engaged and the center running smoothly. Bob and Jeanie continuously go above and beyond to help, giving selflessly and humbly of their time with smiles. Their contributions are essential to the daily success of the O’Hare USO!

 

Master at Arms, Second Class Leslie Ferguson - Southwest Asia USO Volunteer of the Quarter

 

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!

 

Ricardo "Ricky" AlonsoLopez - Pacific Region USO Volunteer of the Quarter

 

Ricardo “Ricky” AlonsoLopez, 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 Quarter!