Category Archives: Volunteers

A New Years Resolution: Support Our Troops & Their Families

Posted on January 6, 2012 by | 1 Comment

The new year has begun and many people have started announcing their New Years Resolutions to friends and family! A common theme we’ve been seeing is that many people have pledged to do more social good this year and give back whenever possible. Here at the USO, we have a few ideas on how you can accomplish that!

Our volunteers are there for our troops when their loved ones can’t, so be sure to check out great volunteer opportunities at USOVolunteer.org! But what if you can’t make a regular commitment or there’s no center near you? Don’t fret – as long as you have a computer you can always become a virtual volunteer of the USO!

Another way to get involved is through TEAM USO. By being one of our fundraisers, you join a community united by one goal: to life the spirits of America’s troops and their families! Put your passions to work by selling your award-winning lemon bars or your first solo CD to raise money. Or join our athletes for your next marathon and achieve two resolutions in one – get healthy and support the USO in 2012!!!

Finally, have you thought about becoming a reoccurring donor? By giving a little each month, you help sustain the programs that support our military and their loved ones, like United Through Reading and Operation Phone Home. Start donating today! – Vyque Elessar, USO Director of New Media

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Posted in Donations, Support, Troops, Volunteers

USO’s Volunteer Engagement Center

Posted on August 18, 2011 by | 3 Comments

One of the most popular questions asked of us is: “How can I get involved and volunteer for the USO?” The USO depends on the amazing work and dedication of its volunteers to lift the spirits of America’s troops and their families. You can become a part of our volunteer community by visiting our Volunteer Engagement Center! Here, you can search for nearby USO center opportunities, view current virtual opportunities and learn more about our overall volunteer program!

To get a sense of what a typical day for a USO volunteer is like, be sure to read Center of Attention: USO of Georgia Lights Up Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where USO’s Director of Story Development spent a day last week helping out.

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Posted in Troops, Volunteers

Volunteer Warrior

Posted on June 20, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Pfc. Plack working at a USO Fort Hood center (Photo Credit: Pfc. Bailey Jester)

Pfc. Phillip Plack volunteered to serve his country in a time of war.

“I joined for lots of reasons,” Pfc. Plack told the USO about his March 9, 2010 enlistment. “One person in my family has always joined the military; my grandpa was in it – both my grandpas – their dads, my uncle was in it.

“I joined with pride,” the 20-year-old soldier continued. “Heritage and history have always been my thing.”

Immediately upon arriving at Fort Hood in Texas to serve with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Plack saw another opportunity to volunteer.

“When I got here to Fort Hood, the USO was the first building I went to,” he recalled.

His love for heritage and history made his decision to volunteer at one of the USO’s three Fort Hood centers an easy one.

“I’ve known about the USO for a long time because my Grandma was a big Bob Hope fan,” he said.

Just like his four years volunteering at a hospital back home in Kansas City, Mo., Plack fully dedicated himself to lifting the spirits of everyone around him. Right away, people took notice.

“I love Phillip, he’s like one of my kids,” Robin Crouse, Director of USO Fort Hood centers, said. “He’s our go-to guy when we need something.

“He doesn’t have a car and walks all the way from his barracks room to do this,” she continued. “What touches me the most is that he’s very genuine with his service to the USO. He’s taking care of his battle buddies.”

From answering phones to helping keep things clean, Plack has worked alongside other dedicated USO Fort Hood volunteers, which earned him a recommendation for the Army’s Outstanding Volunteer Award. But what means the most to this soldier of compassion is the conversations he has with those who utilize all the USO centers have to offer.

“Sharing their experiences, my experiences, and giving them to other people who come in asking what they can do at Fort Hood,” Plack said was the favorite aspect of his volunteer work.

Pfc. Phillip Plack could deploy overseas as early as this summer. Yet wherever he ends up, you will probably find him inside a USO center, with a giant smile on his face.

“There are a lot of hard times, because you’ve got to hear about all the incidents that happen overseas and about people not being able to come home,” he said. “But then you see the smiles on the faces of people here when we get through the day. The USO itself is always smiling.” - Tom Sileo, USO

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Posted in Centers, Troops, US, Volunteers

USO in the News: 02-22-11

Posted on February 22, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Check out some of these great stories featuring the USO and its centers in the news!

  • Bobby Labonte Races For Win In Daytona 500 (The Auto Channel, 2-21-11) — 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Bobby Labonte raced for the win down to the wire in the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway and took fourth-place with his No. 47 Kroger/USO Toyota after leading once for two laps in the season-opener.
  • Fort Drum Celebrates USO Birthday (IMCOM World News, 2-18-11) — Members and friends of the Fort Drum community stopped by the USO at lunchtime Feb. 4 to celebrate the organization’s 70th birthday and to honor an 87-year-old volunteer who has offered her time at New York-based USOs ever since President Franklin D. Roosevelt organized the group in 1941. “The USO still provides that home-away-from-home atmosphere, and a commitment to support our men and women in uniform and their Families,” said Karen Clark, USO Fort Drum director.
  • Pat Catan’s donates $5,210 to USO of Northern Ohio (The Morning Journal, 2-20-11) — Pat Catan’s Craft Centers donated $5,210 to the USO of Northern Ohio to help them with the cost of shipping supplies to troops overseas. The Pat Catan’s in Amherst had the highest amount of donations collected.
  • Lee Soldier among USO honorees (Army.mil, 2-17-11) –  Fort Lee staff sergeant was among the honorees at the USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia 2011 Gala Saturday in the Hampton Roads Convention Center, Hampton. Staff Sgt. Robert A. Walker from the 108th Quartermaster Company, 530th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 49th QM Group, was recognized for his “selfless dedication to the United States Army, unfailing support to his command and the military families of those serving the nation, (and for) his leadership that inspired youth in the local community,” according to a citation read at the gala.
  • Guitars sought for military personnel (Times Reporter, 2-18-11) — Warren Henry Music in Chagrin Falls and the USO of Northern Ohio have teamed up to help bring music to military personnel serving overseas.

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Posted in Centers, Recognition, US, Volunteers

LRMC Staff Appreciation Day

Posted on January 24, 2011 by | 4 Comments

On 21 January, 2011 the USO partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project to host “LRMC Staff Appreciation Day” at Heaton Auditorium on Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. The medical center is often the first stop for the wounded from war zones and has treated more than 6,000 patients.

The event consisted of a delicious catered Italian lunch and two comedy shows in the evening. During the lunch, live music was performed by the rock band Pierce with some participation from Adam Duritz of the band Counting Crows. Col. John Cho, LRMC Commander, would break in every 20-30 minutes to thank the medical staff for their efforts. Col. Cho would also introduce two wounded warriors, Dan Nevins and Shilo Harris, who shared their stories of survival and personally thanked all the medical staff. Harris, now a retired staff sergeant, had been burned badly in a roadside bomb blast in Iraq on Feb. 19, 2007. “It has been an emotional roller coaster,” he said. “Being back here, there are no words to describe it. Every time I talk to somebody, I just want to hug them.”

Nevins, also a retired staff sergeant, had both legs amputated after a roadside bomb blast in Iraq on Nov. 10, 2004.He initially thought his life “was over,” but now skis and snowboards and hopes to be an inspiration for other wound troops. “The staff here never gets to see the fruits of their labor,” he said. “I represent the thousands of injured troops who have been saved, thanks to them.”

In the evening, comedians Jeffrey Ross, Sarah Tiana, Colin Kane, Stewart Stone, and Robert Klein, along with Adam Duritz, put on two truly outstanding comedy and musical shows that entertained over 350 medical staff members. The incredible energy at this event was only exceeded by the emotion of the persons that particpated.

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Posted in Celebrity Entertainment, Europe, Programs, Troops, Volunteers

A USO Birthday Wish

Posted on January 14, 2011 by | 2 Comments

As the USO prepares to celebrate the big 7-0 this February 4, we’d like to hear from you! Tell us your fondest memories of your experiences with the USO, include a photo if you’d like, and you may see your name in our magazine – ON★PATROL – or on one of our websites. Be sure to share your story on USO.org by January 24.

Maybe while volunteering you met your current spouse, or perhaps you met Jay Leno when his tour came to your base! We look forward to hearing from you and what you remember about us over the last 70 years.

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Posted in Centers, History, Troops, Volunteers

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