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Become a Volunteer

USO Volunteer of the Year Award

Whether helping a soldier with a connecting flight, distributing a Care Package, serving snacks with a smile, providing local information, or "welcoming home" troops from deployment, USO volunteers are vital to the success of the USO’s mission. While the duties of a volunteer may vary, the goal is always the same – to improve the quality of life of service members, to boost their morale and to serve as the link between service members and the American people.

For those serving in the United States, a USO volunteer is a familiar face, a friend and someone who is always ready to help. For those stationed overseas, volunteers bridge cultural gaps with a welcome dose of familiarity. The combined efforts of the USO’s volunteers, staff and Board Members ensure that the USO will continue to fulfill its mission until every one comes home.

The design of the USO Volunteer of the Year award was created to reflect the spirit of strength that our volunteers share with our service men and women every day in USO centers around the world. This strength is depicted in the boldness of the single letter “V” firmly secured and centered. As in the simplicity of the design, our volunteers’ unassuming acts of kindness underlie a passion and commitment for the care and well-being of our military and their families.

The work of the USO would not be possible without the efforts of our dedicated volunteers. Each quarter, USO centers from our five operating regions -- stateside, affiliates, Europe, Pacific and Southwest Asia -- nominate volunteers who have gone above and beyond in showing their commitment to the USO mission. At the end of the fourth quarter, each region selects a nominee as their USO Volunteer of the Year finalist. From those finalists, the USO Volunteer of Year is selected and honored at the USO World Gala. The USO World Board of Governors instituted the USO Volunteer of the Year Award in an effort to formally recognize the dedication, hard work and service of our tens of thousands of volunteers.

Become a Volunteer

USO Volunteer of the Year Award

2009 Volunteer of the Year

2009 Regional Volunteers of the Year

2009 Award Nominees

2008 USO Volunteer of the Year

2008 Award Nominees