Q2 2023 Volunteer of the Quarter

Michael-Jordan Pi'imaikalani Awong-Kuamo'o, whom we affectionately call “MJ” is USO Incirlik’s Volunteer of the Quarter!

MJ has served as a Lead Volunteer at Incirlik since April 2021 with 285 hours and counting. He brings light, laughter, and an abundance of joy to the center when he’s volunteering or simply stopping by to say hello and greet staff, other volunteers, and guests. MJ is always enthusiastic when welcoming and training new volunteers, and most recently contributed to the team effort in onboarding Incirlik’s newest Operations Manager. He supported her in how to operate kitchen appliances, navigate standard processes that volunteers do during shifts, and did not hesitate to step in to support her in opening and closing the center during her initial shifts to help her get acclimated. MJ embodies excellence in how he shows up and supports others.

When the recent earthquakes impacted Incirlik’s host country, service members were on 24-hour operations to aid the response and relief efforts. We could always count on MJ to joyfully enter the center with a huge smile on his face, and ask “who’s hungry”? He voluntarily cooked roughly 1-2 meals per week, in addition to facilitating multiple Taste of Home Sunday dinners. He collaborated with his unit, his organizations, and simply brought together friends to cook to ensure the community had a hot meal while working 12-hour shifts. When service members entered the center during this time, they often commented that “MJ must be in the kitchen. We can tell from the foods’ aroma walking up.” Over Quarter 2, MJ served over 18,000 guests from all over the globe. MJ embraces collaboration with a mission first mindset.

While MJ is skilled in the kitchen, he has also been a leader in creating high-impact programming at the USO. He organized the highly requested Patch Fair to Incirlik twice this quarter, and each time service members bonded together over a shared interest in collecting and trading patches. One service member who had never attended a Patch Fair before shared how he was “inspired and motivated to start collecting patches after coming to MJ’s second fair.” He and our Center Manager, Tammi, recently presented the origination, planning, and impact of the Patch Fairs at the USO Area 5’s Innovation in Action and won this quarter’s award! MJ’s innovative spirit serves the USO Incirlik’s community and operations time and time again.

MJ’s positive and grateful attitude brings not only volunteers together, but also organizations and clubs. At times volunteers have illustrated excitement to host a program for the community but maybe did not consider all parts of the planning process. MJ, however, demonstrates the ability to listen to their ideas, support them in coming to an agreement of what is feasible and realistic, and empowers them to implement their final product with confidence. He naturally role models leadership and everyone who interacts with him can quickly see how he carries himself with respect and gratitude.

MJ will be departing our community soon, and we will truly miss his presence. Thank you, MJ, for being an incredible USO Incirlik team member, for your constant service and selfless heart, and for being a USO Incirlik star volunteer!