Tag Archives: partnerships

Operation SAFE Return

Posted on February 7, 2013 by | 1 Comment

On Superbowl Sunday, the USO and Jeep launch an initiative that celebrates and gives back to our troops — those whose work ethic, dedication and service have sustained the very fabric of this nation. “Operation SAFE Return” (OSR) aims to raise awareness and galvanize community support for returning troops and their families. As part of the initiative:

  • Jeep will contribute more than $1 million in funding and vehicles to the USO to be used in programs that directly aid service members and family in their efforts to re-acclimate to civilian life.
  • Jeep employees volunteered a ‘day of service’ at the new USO Warrior and Family Center at Fort Belvoir, Virginia on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
  • Now through Monday, May 27, Jeep will donate $1 to the USO for every person who pledges to join the movement and tweets out their efforts using the hash tag #joinOSR.

Learn more about last night’s ‘Day of Service’at USO.org.

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Posted in Donations, Recognition, Support, Troops

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Romy Rides Again

Posted on August 20, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Kangaroo Express’ Salute Our Troops campaign is back for a second year to help the USO. The campaign — which goes from June 27 through September 4 — invites guests of 1,600 Kangaroo Express stores across 13 states to donate funds to support the USO’s mission of lifting the spirits of troops and their families. To help raise awareness and excitement, they’ve sent out a caravan on tour featuring custom patriotic vehicles – including a very special motorcycle.

In Sept 2008, Romulo “Romy” Camargo was shot in the neck during a firefight in the mountains of Afghanistan. The bullet shattered his C-3 vertebrate, which left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. Romy, a Coral Springs, FL native, is currently recovering at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa. With his wife Gabriela and their two-year-old son at his side, Romy became a mentor, providing inspiration to other wounded soldiers and their families that are just beginning the recovery process. Despite his paralysis, Romy’s dream was to ride again.

And so it become a mission for many. Izzy Izquierdo, owner of Lefty Brothers Motorcycles in Fort Bragg, NC donated his spare time to design and build a custom motorcycle for Romy. “As soon as I left the hospital, ” Izzy said, “I told my wife Barb I was going to build a bike to be dedicated to Romy.” Izzy spent countless hours designing a one of a lend custom bobber and attached sidecar that holds Romy and his motorized wheelchair safely. It’s done, and it’s now traveling with the Kangaroo Express Salute the Troops caravan, helping raise money for military organizations like the USO! –  Vyque White, USO Director of New Media

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Posted in Support, US

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Fort Hood Soldiers Cool Down Via Operation Hydration

Posted on August 10, 2012 by | 2 Comments

More than 3,600 cases of water were collected and donated to USO Fort Hood during AT&T Veterans’ Operation Hydration. USO Photo

Those aren’t just pallets of water you’re looking at. Those bottles represent both sweet relief for soldiers at Fort Hood and a lot of hard work from a group of volunteers who want to help troops beat the oppressive Texas heat.

AT&T Veterans’ Operation Hydration resulted in a bottled water boon for USO Fort Hood. The campaign—which wrapped up recently—netted more than 3,600 cases of bottled water and $13,000 in donations to purchase extra H2O. The water will be distributed to troops around the base by USO Fort Hood staffers and volunteers.

“We are building a motorpool plan to do Monday stops with ice cold water for our Soldiers!” USO Fort Hood Center Director Robin Crouse wrote in an email last week.

Stephen Ollar of Student Veterans Association—which which helped collect donations for the campaign—said giving back to the USO was important to him.

“They were there to provide food, water, emotional support,” Ollar told KXAN-TV in Austin, Texas. “It’s a valuable service and it feels good. It’s important that I can give back to that service that I was able to take advantage of.” – Eric Brandner, ON★PATROL Senior Editor

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Posted in Centers, Troops, US

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Share the Love

Posted on August 6, 2012 by | 3 Comments

The USO is excited to be a finalist to be a part of the Subaru’s 2012 “Share the Love” event! In August, the two charities that receive the most votes on Subaru’s Facebook site will be included in this winter’s “Share The Love” event. We encourage you, your friends and families to cast your ballots for the USO at sharethelove.subaru.com/facebook — you can vote every day until August 26th! During the “Share The Love” event at dealerships this winter, Subaru customers will be able to select which of the five charities they would like Subaru to donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 21st through January 2nd, up to a grand total of $5 million… wow!

MAJ Butch at the USO on Bagram Air Base and wants you to vote!

Not only can you help us by voting every day, but you can also help remind our supporters to vote Every day we’ll be posting a patriotic dog (or any beloved pet) photo on our Facebook page to remind our community to vote! Submit your own pet at USO.org and maybe yours will be our featured pet helper of the day!

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Posted in Support

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Check In to jcpenney

Posted on July 23, 2012 by | 1 Comment

You may not be too familiar with Foursquare, a social app for your mobile phone that let’s you “check-in” to different places you visit. But if you’ve been interested in trying it out, now’s the time – from July 23 to July 31 jcpenney will donate a $1 dollar to the USO for every “check-in” to one of their stores up to $50,000! That’s in addition to the $1 million donation they’ve already made to the USO!

Need to know how to get started? Download one of Foursquare’s mobile apps on your phone. They provide apps for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry. “Officially unofficial” apps exist for Nokia’s S40, S60 and MeeGo platforms, along with Windows Phone 7 and Palm. If there’s no app for your phone, you can check in through Foursquare’s mobile site or via SMS. Once you’ve set up your Foursquare account, head on over to your closest jcpenney!

To check in, open the mobile app on your phone and Foursquare will use your phone’s GPS to find your current location. Click the ‘Check in’ button or tab to see a list of nearby places where you can check in. If the place you’re looking for isn’t in the list, you can search for it or add it directly from your phone.

When you check in, you’ll have the option to share your location with your Foursquare friends and with Facebook and Twitter. If you check in without sharing with your friends, your check-in will be private and only seen by you.

And while you’re there, be sure to let them know you’d like to round up your purchase to the nearest dollar for the USO. The difference will be donated to the USO too!

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Posted in Donations, US

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Wawa Welcomes America with Hoagies

Posted on July 2, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Last week Wawa kicked off its Independence Day celebrations in Philadelphia with a special Hoagie Day –  an afternoon full of singing, food and thanking our troops!

Hundreds of thank you notes were collected and will be sent to troops overseas!

That morning over 200 Wawa associates came together to make more than 4.5 tons of hoagie to feed event attendees! Thousands of people came out to eat and write messages of thanks to the troops at the Liberty USO tent!

Anyone know where we can find an extra large ATM?

Wawa celebrated an amazing two weeks of fundraising for the USO by giving us a check for $100,000! The campaign isn’t over yet- be sure to stop by your closest Wawa and drop in some change for the USO – maybe we can double that!

Finally, the USO Liberty Bells closed out the festivities by performing a medley of songs that got everyone up and dancing! Thanks Wawa for all your support and dedication to our military! – Vyque Elessar, USO Director of New Media

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Posted in Centers, Donations, Recognition, Troops, US

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