USO provides opportunities to volunteer

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott P. Farley
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  (Editor's note:  This is the third of a three-part series about the USO Delaware and its programs.)

The USO relies on the generosity of Americans to lift the spirits of troops and their families. Changing times have led to changing sources of generosity, but the USO's need for support and volunteers remains constant.

"The dynamics of our volunteers have changed drastically over the last 20 years," said Joan Cote, the USO Delaware director. "Gone are the days of stay-at-home moms being a steady source of (USO) volunteers."

Ms. Cote said the USO has continued to keep up with the needs of deploying troops as deployment rates remain steady and thus offers countless opportunities to volunteer and give back for anyone interested in helping.

"We take all kinds of volunteers - anyone from high school students to community groups to military members," she added.

Kay Powers, who has volunteered for many organizations before the USO, has been with USO Delaware since she retired 14 years ago.

"A lot of people have no idea that volunteering is a two-way street," said Ms. Powers. "I love the giving, but you also get so much back. The majority of the passengers we meet are tremendous people. There's nothing more interesting than when they share their many diverse stories."

She said she spends most of her time with USO Delaware trying to make people as comfortable as possible in the lounge but helps with other programs as well, such as United Through Reading and USO Care Packages, both available to deployers passing through the terminal.

"It's hard to describe all of the benefits for us, but it really puts things in perspective for me," said Ms. Powers. "It keeps your mind active, which is especially important for seniors, and it really makes life worth living."

According to Bruce Kmiec, the USO Delaware director of programs, there are a number of ways to give to the USO that vary from location to location, but the process begins with visiting www.usovolunteer.org and submitting a volunteer interest form or by contacting a local USO center.

He said during initial interviews with potential volunteers, interviewers look for well-rounded individuals with friendly personalities, but there are a lot of needs which can be met with good computer skills, organizational skills and flexible schedules. Potential volunteers also go through background investigations.

"We like to get everyone we have involved," said Mr. Kmiec. "We have people from all walks of life - retirees, spouses and civilians - volunteering for us."

Mr. Kmiec, who organizes and schedules the volunteers at the Dover Air Force Base USO Community Center, said he puts a lot of time and thought into how to best utilize the volunteers here.

"We really try to not burn them out," said Mr. Kmiec, who worked as a long-range scheduler in the Air Force before retiring. "We make sure the volunteers are taken care of, because without them, we wouldn't operate."