RSVP Volunteer of the month, Karen Garst-Russo, was nominated by Laurie Switzer, USS Midway Volunteer Department and Jill Hammons, USS Midway Membership Department, for her exemplary administrative support. Karen volunteers in Membership Development and Administration. She has gone above and beyond her duties, sometimes volunteering up to 40 hours a week. Karen takes ownership in the Midway Veteran Membership program, which offers free memberships to former military who served aboard the USS Midway during its service.
She is dedicated to keeping complete and accurate records in the database. Karen is an example of patience and diligence in helping members, often going above and beyond what is expected. One example of her excellent customer is how she helped a disabled Midway Veteran.
He wanted to attend a Midway Veteran reunion taking place on board the USS Midway, but does not drive and has difficulty maneuvering around. He contacted Karen, who is the Volunteer Midway Veteran liaison. She made all of the arrangements for him, and personally picked him up from the airport, sat with him at the evening event, and then took him back to his hotel. The next day she took him to breakfast before taking him back to the airport.
Patricia Capritta-Payne, Sales & Events Special Projects Manager, had this to say about Karen, "Karen works very hard to not only achieve her tasks, but to help others achieve theirs. She promotes a positive attitude in the workplace and always tried to make others feel good about who they are and what they do. She shows great passion for a job well done and gratitude for the opportunity to be on board the Midway."
Congratulations Karen and thank you for your exemplary service to the community.