Each month, we recognize a dedicated volunteer whose time and heart make a difference in our mission. For September, that honor goes to Betty Maurer. We had the privilege of chatting with Betty to hear her story and learn more about the impact she’s making at the Hope For The Warriors Military Lounge at the Jacksonville airport (OAJ).
Betty was among the very first volunteers to help open the Military Lounge in April 2024. Since then, every Tuesday you’ll find her and her friend, fellow volunteer Mary, stocking snacks and drinks, folding blankets after Marines sneak in a quick snooze, and greeting everyone with a warm smile. If someone doesn’t know about the lounge, Betty makes it her mission to find them. She ensures no Marine waits alone when there’s a welcoming place just steps away.
“We walk around the airport looking for guys that are just sitting there with their bags and tell them about the lounge,” Betty said. “They come down and hang out since they can’t check in for their flights for a couple of hours. We talk to everybody that walks through. It’s pretty cool.”
Those conversations matter. The lounge has become a home away from home for countless Marines, especially the young “boots” arriving for the first time.
Betty shared an example of one powerful story:
A young Marine was waiting in the lounge for his grandmother, who drove two hours to pick him up and take him to Camp Lejeune. When the grandmother arrived at the lounge, Betty realized she didn’t have an ID to get on base. Betty stepped in with valuable information and made sure the Marine and his grandmother knew they had to make a stop at the visitor center at Camp Lejeune before being allowed on base. After that, Betty made sure his uniform was pressed and replaced a few missing items he needed before the pair hit the road. “[His grandmother] was so thankful,” said Betty. “She told me, ‘You saved me a lot of heartache and problems.’”
Stories like this happen all the time. From missing uniform items to wrinkled clothes, volunteers like Betty at the lounge are always ready to help. Sometimes it’s as simple as sharing snacks, and sometimes it’s chasing down a service member’s forgotten dog tags before he heads to base (yes, this also happened).
For Betty, the military community is personal. Her father served as a Marine out of Camp Lejeune, and her husband is a retired sailor. That background helps her connect with the service members who come through. “They just seem so young,” Betty told me. “Some of them are really scared. I’ve had conversations where I just had to give a kid a hug before he left. You really start to see them like your own kids.”
When I asked Betty why she continues to give so much of her time, her answer was simple:
“We [Betty and her husband] were in our twenties in Virginia Beach, trying to live without our families. I know what it’s like to start out away from home, not knowing anybody. Once you get involved with the military community, they’re all like one big family.”
For her, volunteering with HOPE is even more meaningful than her time with other organizations. “I love HOPE,” Betty said. “It’s been awesome.”
Being recognized as Volunteer of the Month is an honor Betty doesn’t take lightly.
“It’s an honor in itself right there,” she said. And while she’s grateful for the recognition, she hopes more people will join in the work. “I wish more people would volunteer,” she shared. “Mary and I drive 40–45 minutes. It’s worth it.”
From stocking snacks to saving the day for service members and their families, Betty represents everything we value in our volunteers. She brings warmth, compassion, and a sense of family to everyone who walks through the HOPE lounge doors.
Betty, thank you for being such a steady presence for our service members and for being an incredible part of the HOPE family. We’re so proud to call you our Volunteer of the Month.
Want to make a difference like Betty?
Volunteers are the heart of HOPE. Whether you’re greeting Marines at the airport, supporting food distributions, or lending your skills in another way, your time and compassion can change lives.
Learn more about volunteering with HOPE
