Author Archives: The USO

Are You a Rugged Maniac? Join Team USO

Posted on June 7, 2013 | Leave a comment

How far are you willing to go to support our troops? Would you leap over burning coals? Low-crawl through the mud under barbed wire? Traverse cargo netting, hop through a series of tires and navigate a balance beam over a pit?

If you want an opportunity to challenge your endurance and reach physical goals you never thought possible in support of troops and their families, then you should join Team USO this year for a Rugged Maniac 5K Obstacle Race.

“We’re very excited about the good things we can accomplish together,” Rugged Races CEO Bradford Scudder said. “The USO’s mission aligns with that of Rugged Maniac by recognizing and supporting our troops and their families.”

Rugged Maniac – which has announced 22 events in 2013 and expects more than 200,000 participants – hopes to raise $1 million in support of the USO.

“It’s a realistic goal,” Scudder said. “If each of our participants donates $5, we’ll get there. And this is a wonderful cause, so of course there will be individuals who’ll go above and beyond that $5 donation.”

From boot camp to battlefield back home again, the USO is the only organization that always stands by the side of troops and their families. Team USO members are crucial to supporting that cause.

–Video and Story by Joseph Andrew Lee, USO Staff Writer

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N.C.-Based Women’s Club Hosts First USO Barbecue for the Troops

Posted on June 4, 2013 | Leave a comment
Army Maj. Gen. (Ret.) James Mallory poses with former Statesville (N.C.) Woman's Club President Ellenora Barker - who served in the WAVES during World War II -- at the club's USO Barbecue for the Troops event May 16. Photo courtesy of the Statesville (N.C.) Woman's Club

Army Maj. Gen. (Ret.) James Mallory poses with former Statesville (N.C.) Woman’s Club President Ellenora Barker at the club’s USO Barbecue for the Troops event May 16. Photo courtesy of the Statesville (N.C.) Woman’s Club

They’re already firing up their grills in North Carolina for the USO’s Barbecue for the Troops campaign.

Statesville, N.C., was the site of the first official USO Barbecue for the Troops on May 16. The Statesville Woman’s Club raised $850 with their May 16 barbecue luncheon, which featured guest speaker Army Maj. Gen. (Ret) James Mallory.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to help out a great cause, show off our club’s patriotic spirit, and be a leader for our [General Federation of Women’s Clubs],” club president Fran Baker wrote in an email to the USO.

Click here to find out more about the USO’s Barbeque for the Troops campaign, including how to host your own event.

–Story by USO Story Development

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Posted in Fundraising, Troops

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Photos: USO and Partners Help Make Cancer-Stricken Marine’s Wish a Reality

Posted on June 3, 2013 | 1 Comment

The USO – with huge assists from American Airlines and Joining Forces – helped make a terminally ill Marine’s wish come true this week, facilitating Lance Cpl. Christopher Fillion’s trip to the White House to meet President Barack Obama.

Here’s a look at the journey in photos (and here’s a story on how the trip came together):

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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Posted in Support, Troops

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Barbecue for the Troops: Best Baked Beans Ever

Posted on May 29, 2013 | Leave a comment

Have you signed up to host a Barbecue for the Troops for the summer yet? Be sure to use one of our amazing recipes! And here’s another, straight from the frontlines! Our troops may not always have a gourmet kitchen, but they have come up with some ingenious ways to cook up a storm!

Best Baked Beans Ever

Screen Shot 2013-06-10 at 12.59.52 PM

Ingredients

1 (12 oz.) can SPAM chopped

1 Tbsp molasses (you can substitute brown sugar or syrup)

1 Tbsp chili sauce

2 (15 oz.) cans baked beans

Optional 2 coarsely chopped onions

Cooking Instrument

Crock-Pot

 Directions

Preheat Crock-Pot on high setting.  (If you are using onions, microwave onions with some water until translucent.)  Combine all ingredients into the Crock-Pot and cook for 1 hour.  Stir as needed.  Reduce heat on Crock-Pot to low or warm.

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Coca-Cola 600, Ride 2 Recovery Memorial Challenge Highlight Memorial Day Weekend

Posted on May 28, 2013 | 1 Comment
Image

Kat and Staff Sgt. Aaron Causey at the Coca-Cola 600. USO Photo by Katie Whitlow

Army Staff Sgt. Aaron Causey, his wife, Kat, and USO Senior Vice President of Operations Alan Reyes represented the organization Sunday at the Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C.

Causey – who was wounded in Afghanistan – served as the event’s grand marshal and, along with his wife and Reyes, got to yell “drivers: start your engines” at the beginning of the race.

It’s the third straight year Coke has invited the USO to be the race’s grand marshal. The two American institutions have been partners since 1941.

“At Coke, we’ve always supported the military through the USO,” said Erika Von Heiland Strader, Director-Community Marketing for Coca-Cola North America, in an interview last week. “That’s why we make sure the USO is an integral part of the Coke 600.”

Ride 2 Recovery Memorial Challenge

USO partner Ride 2 Recovery held its Memorial Challenge on Monday in Washington. The ride – which was 41 miles from Arlington to Manassas, Va. – was another avenue through which the organizations help our wounded, ill and injured troops retake control of their lives.

Part of the physical health and recreation initiatives sponsored by the USO Warrior and Family Care, Ride 2 Recovery helps improve the health and wellness of America’s healing troops through challenge races that test endurance as a way to build physical confidence.

Program partners since 2007, the USO provides funds for bikes for some Ride 2 Recovery participants (both traditional and adaptive) along with day-of-event support. In 2012, the USO supported seven Ride 2 Recovery events with snacks and rest areas. Throughout the year, USO centers will host events – including dinners and fun activities – for Ride 2 Recovery cyclists as they come ride through their geographic areas.

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FIJI Islander Events Raise Over $10k for USO South Carolina

Posted on May 28, 2013 | 1 Comment
Get together for the troops!

Get together for the troops!

The stakes were high as the brothers of Phi Gamma Delta at the College of Charleston started planning their FIJI Islander event to support the USO.  They knew they wanted to go big in support of America’s troops and families.  And big they went.  They didn’t just hold one event.  No!  They held at least one event every day for an entire week and in the end donated over $10,000 to support USO South Carolina.

FIJI Islander week kicked off on Sunday April 14th with a basketball tournament. The hoops for troops event offered cash prizes and a trophy for the winners.  Before the FIJI brothers could reap the success of their first event they were on to event number two.  On Monday, students on campus lined up for a rare opportunity to dunk a princess in the dunk tank.  As you can imagine, this was a popular event.  Later that night the fundraising continued as everyone headed over to Freshberry where a percentage of the proceeds went to support the USO.

Moving on to day three of fundraising, on Tuesday night, a percentage of the proceeds from dinner at Boones supported the USO.    Then on Wednesday, a school yard event we all loved as children — a kickball tournament – would get sororities and fraternities on the field together kicking a ball around for a good cause.

This fraternity isn’t done yet.  On Thursday campus beauties participated in the Princess Pageant complete with talent competition.  And Finally on Saturday the big finale FIJI Islander party to celebrate a week of successful fundraising.

This FIJI chapter’s donation will go to support troops where it is needed most.  Today’s USO is always by their side, continuously adapting to the needs of our troops and their families by supporting and comforting, connecting and entertaining in new and imaginative ways. USO’s programs and services are made possible by the support of donors like these. - Lisa Ferrari Carter, USO Relationship Manager, Clubs & Organizations

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