USO Naples Volunteer of the Month - Kim Ericka Lucas

Please join USO Naples in congratulating our August 2022 Volunteer of the Month, Kim Ericka Lucas! Kim is an active-duty service member and has been with the USO since October 2020. She has over 260 hours of volunteer service and 100 shifts worked! Before being stationed in Naples, Itay, Kim was in Coronado, California. She was born and raised in the Philippines, and at the age of 14, she moved with her family to Washington state, which is dear to her heart. In her spare time, Kim likes to volunteer and travel Europe. One of her favorite places she has traveled to is Slovenia. “Seeing all the pine trees and snow around the mountains reminds me of Washington State.”

Kim chose to join the Naples Volunteer Committee because of the opportunities it gave her. “I choose to be part of the USO community because I was inspired by all the help, smiles, and change they provided in the community, even in a simple way. Also, being away from home; being part of the (USO) organization makes me feel at home.” Nothing makes the USO Team happier than to hear that from our service members, knowing that we can provide a safe space and atmosphere where they feel welcomed, at peace, and have a sense of community.

Kim has been a very active volunteer, working the full range of events that serve different audiences, like Cup of Joe, Ladies’ Paint Night, and Kid’s Crafternoon, but her favorite is Teddy Bear Club. We offer a variety of activities at Teddy Bear Club, which include games, crafts, and storytime, all geared towards babies and toddlers. The adorable babies and their artistic talents are one of the reasons why TBC is so special to Kim, and she helps make these activities a blast for our little attendees. USO Naples is beyond grateful to have a passionate, kind, and caring volunteer like Kim to help us carry out events that leave a positive impact on those attending, and those facilitating. Every time Kim registers for a shift, she shows up with a big smile on her face, ready to share her enthusiasm with the team and patrons. USO Naples is proud to have Kim on our team and would like to express our deepest gratitude for her volunteer service. Please join us as we congratulate her as our Volunteer of the Month for August 2022!