USO Hawaii Volunteer of the Quarter - Colleen Griffin

Congratulations, Colleen! We are delighted to announce that Colleen Griffin has been selected as USO Hawaii Volunteer of the Quarter for Q4 2024!

Since joining the USO team in May 2024, Colleen has made an incredible impact through her dedication, leadership, and positive energy. As a seasoned military spouse, she has embraced the USO’s mission to enhance the well-being of service members and their families, and her contributions have been nothing short of exceptional.

Colleen has accumulated over 500 volunteer hours and has assisted more than 8,000 center guests. Her leadership skills quickly became evident, and just one month after starting, she was promoted to Volunteer Admin. In this role, Colleen has successfully trained over 20 new volunteers and conducted more than 20 tours for first-time guests, ensuring they feel welcome and informed. She also took the initiative to overhaul our Volunteer Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and shift checklists, significantly improving center operations.

Colleen’s proactive and detail-oriented approach has been instrumental in supporting the staff and maintaining the center’s daily operations. Whether managing administrative tasks, assisting with new volunteer recruitment, or enhancing center cleanliness, Colleen is always ready to step up and take charge. Her reliability as a weekday volunteer has allowed our staff to focus on essential tasks such as new hire training, knowing that Colleen ensures everything runs smoothly.

Her contributions extend far beyond operational tasks. Colleen has single-handedly crafted 60 candy leis for our Monthly Birthday celebrations and prepared nine giveaway baskets for the USO baby shower “Special Delivery” program. She also completed an inventory of all donated items, ensuring nothing was overlooked. Colleen’s strong grasp of Volunteer Management and her ability to complete administrative tasks accurately have made her an indispensable asset to the USO team.

Colleen’s warm demeanor and care for every guest have made her a beloved figure in our community. Repeat guests often call her a “part-time staff member,” and her friendly conversations leave a lasting impression. Colleen’s leadership, attention to detail, and dedication have strengthened our volunteer program and enriched the experiences of everyone she interacts with.

Despite facing physical limitations, Colleen continues to demonstrate a “can-do” attitude, taking pride in ensuring the center remains a welcoming and functional space. Her unwavering commitment to the USO mission and her proactive approach make her an essential part of our team.

We are incredibly grateful to have Colleen as one of our key volunteers. Her dedication has significantly enhanced the USO’s ability to support the military community, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for her exceptional service.

If you are inspired by Colleen’s story and would like to make a difference, please consider signing up to volunteer at volunteer.uso.org. Together, we can continue to support our service members and their families in meaningful ways.