TPA’s Volunteer Ambassadors play major role in assisting visitors from around the world

Lisa Priva retired years ago but wakes up every Thursday excited for her shift at Tampa International Airport.

The former flight attendant fell in love with the aviation business after an exciting career working for Eastern Airlines. Now she's still assisting travelers as part of Tampa International Airport's Volunteer Ambassador program, which TPA is highlighting this week as part of National Volunteer Week from April 20-26.

"Once you've been with the airlines, you kind of stick around it," said Priva, who missed helping the traveling public after leaving Eastern.

Priva signed up to volunteer in 2012, shortly after the Ambassador program was created. Now, more than a decade later, she's one of the Airport's most senior volunteers.

"I'm a retired person but you don't want to just sit home and do nothing," she said. "Thursday is my day that I'm out the door in the morning and I know this is what I'm going to be doing."

You can usually find Priva working her Thursday shifts at the information desk in the Red Baggage Claim area near the Yeager Elevators.