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USO Volunteer of the Year Award

2008 USO Volunteer of the Year - Second Quarter Nominees

Mary Nelson Adams - Stateside Affiliates' Volunteer of the Quarter

For over six years, Mary Nelson Adams has volunteered for USO Georgia. She has earned the nickname “The Never Miss Gal” because she never misses a chance to serve the troops. Day or night, holiday or weekend, good weather or bad, Mary brings southern hospitality to three USO centers in southeast Georgia: at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, Hunter Army Airfield and at Fort Stewart.

As the widow of a military officer, Mary understands the challenges facing our men and women in uniform, and knows the difficulty of being separated from loved ones. Through Mary’s quest to find more willing volunteers in the Savannah area, the USO has become one of the most sought-after volunteer organizations in southeast Georgia. Mary scours the community for support from the young and old, churches and clubs, businesses and even the city government. Prior to Mary’s efforts, the USO’s presence in southeast Georgia was limited, but she has brought together the community and enriched the lives of many service members.

Recently, Mary was recognized as a significant volunteer through President Bush’s “Call to Freedom Award.” Upon receiving the award, Mary humbly contributed the honor to all who support USO Georgia. She truly loves and takes pride in her work as a USO volunteer. As NBC’s Martin Savidge put it, “You realize Mary Adams [thinks] every kid in camouflage is hers.”

Amy Brookman - United States USO Volunteer of the Quarter

Amy Brookman has been a volunteer with USO Fort Hood, Texas, since May 2007. A military spouse with three children at home, Amy’s enthusiasm for serving her community always shines through when needed most.

With military flights coming and going around the clock, USO Fort Hood has a constant need for volunteers to work its canteen, serving family members on inbound flights and serving deploying soldiers on outbound flights. Amy has served more than 20,000 family members who were waiting for their loved ones to return from deployments, and she has helped send off more than 3,000 soldiers on their way to Iraq.

Amy’s devotion to the USO and the Fort Hood military community stand out. She even has volunteered to work during the flight that brought her husband home from deployment and the week following his arrival.

Because she is always positive, upbeat and able to work well with all volunteers and staff, Amy sets a great example for both current and potential USO volunteers. She is willing to work any hours of the day or night, and always is professional while performing her volunteer duties. She always represents the USO in a favorable light, and everyone can see that she truly enjoys what she is doing.

John Gunter - Pacific Region USO Volunteer of the Quarter

When the USO Camp Casey, Korea, needed somebody to rework its Cyber Café, volunteer John Gunter stepped up and took control. A USO volunteer for three years, John also drives the USO Mobile Canteen in support of events throughout the Korean peninsula. A responsible and dedicated volunteer, he always provides the highest quality customer service to USO patrons.

John works long hours to support the many needs of USO Camp Casey, and he always says, “yes” when asked to volunteer. Most notably, John installed 16 computers and a server to get the center’s Cyber Café up and running. He maintains all the machines with routine updates, software support and usage reports. His efforts have significantly reduced USO costs and nearly eliminated significant maintenance issues.

John understands that supporting the troops is the most important requirement at USO Camp Casey. He helps out in all departments and is extremely resourceful. After driving the Mobile Canteen in support of USO Korea programs, John returns the vehicle in top shape, refueling it and providing any necessary maintenance. As a result of his efforts, the Mobile Canteen has been used and requested more often by commanders than ever before.

Always the consummate professional, John has a great attitude and goes out of his way to meet the needs of soldiers and their families. He is committed, supportive and consistently emulates the USO mission, while generously giving of his time and talents.

Allen Perez - Southwest Asia USO Volunteer of the Quarter

An active duty member of the U.S. Air Force, Allen Perez finds time in his busy schedule to volunteer four to six nights each week at the USO center on Camp Ali Al Salem, Kuwait. Allen’s humble, kind attitude and sense of humor fit in perfectly with the USO staff and other volunteers, and his dedication exceeds the call of duty.

At a USO location where volunteers can be scarce, Allen sets the standard for USO volunteers, freely giving of his time and talents to fulfill the USO mission. When Allen sits at the USO duty desk, the staff is confident that all USO patrons will receive the best possible service. On numerous occasions, Allen has stayed beyond his shift to ensure the center is in good hands. When the USO employees had to leave Kuwait to attend a work function in Dubai, the base commander suggested that Allen step in to temporarily run the center. This is a true reflection of Allen’s character and dedication.

Allen has taken the initiative to make center operations run more smoothly. His first order of thinking is always, “What can I do for the troops and how can I help the USO?” Allen helps train new volunteers, and has been instrumental in building a positive image for the USO on base. His can-do attitude and his support of the USO set an example for those around him on a daily basis.

Michelle Schmidt - Europe's USO Volunteer of the Quarter

A volunteer for USO Europe since 1996, Michelle Schmidt has been integral in the success of the annual USO Europe Service Salute, an event that pays tribute to American and German service members and celebrates the friendship between the U.S. and German armed forces. Whether producing parking passes for special guests, assisting with decorations or creating table centerpieces, Michelle’s unwavering attention to detail ensures that all projects are executed with perfection.

Although she maintains a full-time job at a major hospital, Michelle makes herself available to the USO whenever there is a need. On numerous occasions she has left the hospital after working 24 hours, only to drive an hour to the USO office to assist with time-sensitive projects.

Michelle holds herself and her work to the highest standards, and though she is a volunteer she approaches her work with the level of conscientiousness and professionalism that would be expected from a paid employee. Her enthusiasm, dedication, and calm demeanor throughout the Service Salute planning process have ensured the event’s success. No matter what task she is performing, her willingness and enthusiasm ensure the troops are well taken care of.