Volunteer Spotlight: Alice (Jenine) Vrtiska

When Alice (Jenine) Vrtiska joined the USO Fort Riley team in February 2023, she brought with her a dedication and enthusiasm that has left a lasting impact. Jenine has embraced her time at Fort Riley with open arms. She maintains a journal to stay connected with her family, documenting her daily activities and sharing photos and stories, allowing her loved ones to share in her experiences. Her heartfelt dedication and innate desire to serve others has made her an indispensable part of the USO Kansas volunteer team.

Jenine’s journey with the USO began with her passion for giving back to the community. Before volunteering, she was familiar with the USO’s mission, as a spouse of a retiree, but was inspired to get involved after learning about the various programs and support provided to service members and their families. She knew she wanted to contribute and make a difference.

Jenine’s commitment is evident in her extensive involvement across a wide range of activities and events, showcasing her versatility and passion for service. She is a staple at our weekly Toddler Tuesday program, where she helps kids create crafts they are proud of, Jenine’s contributions to larger events like the USO Spooktacular have been invaluable. For our first-ever haunted house event, Jenine’s hard work in setting up decorations helped make the event a huge success.

Jenine’s forward-thinking approach is especially evident in the Coffee Connections program, which serves twelve to twenty military spouses each month. She prepares crafts up to three months in advance and creates demo crafts for attendees to draw inspiration from. Her efforts have even extended to McConnell AFB, showcasing her commitment to supporting military spouses beyond Fort Riley.

Jenine’s organizational prowess extends behind the scenes as well. She has expertly reorganized our off-site storage unit, center storage area, canteen, and program shelving, making everything easy to find and use. Her ability to analyze and improve processes has also been crucial in managing our In-Kind donations, ensuring that our center runs efficiently and effectively.

“Jenine’s dedication and hard work have been truly inspiring. Her warm, motherly nature and meticulous attention to detail have been key components of our center’s success. We are incredibly grateful for her unwavering support,” says Charlene, Area Operations Manager at USO Kansas.

One of the most striking aspects of Jenine’s service is her dependability. She has rearranged personal appointments to ensure the center is adequately staffed, often volunteering over 40 hours a week during times of transition. Her efforts in re-deployment support, packaging hygiene kits for returning soldiers, and leading the festive transformation for our Grinchmas event have been nothing short of extraordinary.

Jenine’s impact extends to volunteer recruitment as well. She has brought in twenty new volunteers who have collectively contributed over 400 hours of service. As a lead volunteer, she trains and mentors new recruits, ensuring they feel welcomed and prepared for their roles.

Reflecting on her experience, Jenine shared, “Volunteering with the USO has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It’s heartwarming to see the smiles on the faces of the service members and their families. It feels like I’m making a difference, and that’s what keeps me going.”

We are profoundly grateful for Jenine’s service and proud to recognize her as our “Volunteer of the Quarter.”