MCGREGOR RANGE, N.M. - Combined efforts between USO El Paso, Subway and volunteers from ADP resulted in free lunch for Reserve and National Guard service members who are currently mobilized and training at Forward Operating Base Westbrook, July 17.
The event was coordinated by USO El Paso Mobile/Volunteer Manager Lucy Sanchez. Sanchez had the funds readily available to spend, and she contacted the main Subway headquarters. Sandwiches were then ordered from a special menu and picked up at the nearest Subway restaurant. Sanchez also coordinated the volunteers from ADP, who were more than thankful for the opportunity.
Rosie Bocanegra-Chavez, an employee support representative with ADP, was among the volunteers helping to hand out more than 870 sandwiches.
“I am just excited to be here,” said Bocanegra-Chavez. “I feel blessed to be out here to help feed the Soldiers because they do a lot for us. This is small compared to what they do for us.”
U.S. Army Spc. Joe Ripa, assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry Regiment, New Jersey Army National Guard, was excited about a free sandwich.
“I am ready to bite into it,” said Ripa. “I think it’s actually cool that they are doing this. They don’t have to do this, but we are out here working hard, and we appreciate it very much.”
Sanchez said volunteers are the heart and soul of the USO.
“The volunteers from ADP could have chosen to go anywhere else, and they chose to go with USO El Paso,” said Sanchez. “We currently are in need of many volunteers.”
According to Sanchez, people interested in volunteering with USO El Paso can go to www.usovolunteer.org and register. Once a person is registered, all is left is an orientation to volunteering and then they can begin.
USO El Paso can be reached at 915-569-5644.