Meet Candace, our 2024 USO Volunteer of the Year in the Continental U.S.

By Trey Smith

For service members stepping into the USO at Dover Air Force Base (AFB), there’s one constant they can count on - Candace Dunning’s warm welcome. Whether it’s a fresh cup of coffee, a friendly greeting or just a reassuring presence, she brings warmth and energy to her USO Center. Her dedication goes beyond volunteering – she’s a steady presence, making the USO a place where service members can truly unwind and recharge.

Candace’s dedication has earned her the honor of 2024 USO Volunteer of the Year for our stateside locations, a recognition she has more than earned thanks to her tireless commitment to service members and her unwavering willingness to go the extra mile.

Following A Calling to Serve

Candace’s passion for supporting service members runs deep, rooted in her own family’s history. Growing up with a father who served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War, she developed a profound respect and admiration for those who dedicate their lives to protecting our country.

“I always admired what he did, and the sacrifices he made, and I wanted to give back. I did not go into the military myself, but I just wanted to give back somehow. I have a lot of friends and family who are in the military, so I know the sacrifices that they all make,” Candace shared.

With a family history rooted in military service, volunteering at the USO became a natural way for Candace to give back to those who serve. | Photo credit Courtesy Photo

Volunteering at the USO became a natural way for Candace to honor her father’s legacy while making a tangible difference in the lives of today’s service members.

“Knowing that I’m helping those that are sacrificing so much so that we can live every day with our freedoms that many people take for granted, and seeing them come through the Center and come through Dover Air Force Base, knowing the impact that it makes for them, it means a lot to them. So, I enjoy giving back,” Candace said.

At least once a week, service members who visit USO Dover AFB will find Candace ready to lend a hand – whether that means organizing an event, answering questions or simply offering a friendly conversation to someone who needs it. Her consistency and dedication make her an essential part of the Center, ensuring that every service member who walks through the door receives kindness and support.

And at Dover AFB specifically, Candace extends that support to the troops who are carrying out dignified transfers, a process that the USO has steadfastly supported for decades. During the process, an Honor Guard of the fallen service member’s branch is always in attendance, as well as troops assigned to the Air Force Mortuary Affairs complex, senior ranking military officials and others, and the USO is there to support as well.

It’s in these times when a service members’ duty can take its toll on them. The USO offers support by providing them with a quiet place to relax, meals or even a hot cup of coffee on a cold night – as dignified transfers can happen at any time of day, in any weather.

“During the transfer, we support the transfer team and the honor guards that come to work the dignified transfers. These teams have to stay here, so we support them by getting them meals and snacks,” Candace said. “Whatever they need, we work with them. So sometimes we’re here for many hours.”

Bearing witness to service members who made the ultimate sacrifice reminds her why she shows up week after week – not just to provide comfort, but to honor those who have served. These moments, though heavy, have only strengthened her commitment to giving back to the military community in every way she can.

“[One time] it was freezing cold and pouring rain at 10:30 at night, and [I got] to experience how awesome our military was standing out there in those conditions, honoring and respecting the soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice without any hesitation or concern for themselves,” she shared. “It just brought me to tears.”

Candace’s volunteerism with the USO and dedication to fallen service members also hasn’t gone unnoticed by those who work alongside her, especially Cari Matthews, her area operations manager, who has seen how her compassion, reliability and willingness to inspire others has become an asset to the local USO team and military community around her.

“She has made a difference to the military members she serves who have the solemn mission of bringing home our fallen service men and women,” Cari shared. “Candace is willing to take on any task that helps better the USO because her love for giving back to the military is endless.

In her time volunteering, Candace also knows that the strength of the USO comes from its volunteers, and she encourages others to step in and be part of the USO’s mission, knowing that every volunteer, no matter how small their role, plays a part in supporting those who serve.

“Candace has been instrumental in our operations, making things better in the Center for service members and always helping staff and fellow volunteers,” Cari shared. “She has impacted service members through her volunteerism in our USO Center, in the community and at USO events.”

Candace shares that sentiment when it comes to giving back to those who serve their country every day.

“It’s a wonderful way to give back to those that are serving our country. It’s very gratifying. They need our help. Some of them are away from home and are young and don’t have anybody. They really enjoy the interaction. It’s a wonderful feeling,” Candace said.

As she continues to give her time and inspire others to do the same, Candace embodies the very spirit of the USO – proving that giving back through the seemingly smallest acts can make a lasting difference.

Are you interested in giving back to the people who serve and volunteering with the USO? Learn more about what it means to be a USO Volunteer and if there’s a USO Center near you by clicking here.