USO Naples Volunteer of the Year 2021

2021 was a year filled with adapting and adjusting to a new way of life. With traveling resuming, movie theaters and gyms starting to open their doors, our community saw a sense of normalcy returning to their lives. USO Naples pivoted in our programming to offer more in person events with safety measures put in place, allowing us to further connect with our service members and their families. On the frontlines were our volunteers who brought the heart and soul to each program executed, each appreciation bag delivered, and each service member served. One volunteer went above and beyond her duties, helping support military families when they needed it most. With over 268 volunteer hours served, USO Naples is proud to announce IT2 Carlitta Smith as our Volunteer of the Year for 2021.

Ever since Carlitta joined the team this past June, she has been a pillar of strength within the Naples volunteer committee. Her impressive work ethic, mentorship, humor and enthusiasm has been admired by all and her dedication to the USO and NSA Naples community is unwavering. In the past year Carlitta has helped support programs on Support Site, Capodichino, and JFC - regularly traveling between bases on the same day for multiple shifts. You may have been welcomed by her at events like Troop Lunch, serving service men and women hearty meals for lunch or handing out sweet frozen treats to military children at Ice Cream on Wheels.

As an active-duty service member, Carlitta understands how important it is to connect our overseas service members and their families to home and country, especially during the holiday season. In the 6 months Carlitta has been on the team she has executed the USO’s mission at over 90 events and programs, truly going the extra mile to ensure she delivered the best care to our military community. Please join USO Naples as we thank Carlitta for her overwhelming compassion and congratulate her as the 2021 USO Naples Volunteer of the Year.