October USO Newsletter

See what your support has made possible this month in our October newsletter. [USO](e_XyTq/dXpRSzRFOTJyMm1YWmlOSGt2bU5DY2FaakJ2dEpYU0NvMkl2UFdud0VQdkZVZ3ozZnFJUGhVbnNPTTdNTVdZSmJyaDdSQWlQVkhaYXNCSWNvVnB1NVRmRFR1KzhLY0ExS3hNNkMwMjJMcVk9S0/c2tpb3Z3OWVYTGY5QjlGZnZIQXQwcnFDOHZVdTd6b05rb0NlSmswakFDND0S1) [DONATE NOW »]( YOUR USO AT WORK Issue 96 / Oct 2021 Happy Halloween! From cooking classes to reading programs to video games and more, October has been a busy and enjoyable month for USO programs both in-person and virtually. We hope you enjoy reading about the exciting experiences this community of dedicated military supporters has made possible for our troops and their families this month. Thank you for all you do to support our troops near and far! USO FRONT LINES USO Gaming Centers help service members unwind Research shows that video games can help service members relieve stress, relax after a long day of duty, connect with loved ones and decompress following a deployment. In the last year, the USO has taken our gaming initiative to the next level, creating more dedicated gaming spaces at our centers, hosting video game tournaments and adding two gaming supervisors to our staff. [Learn more about how the USO is using gaming to support our troops]([»](q6sL/dXpRSzRFOTJyMm1YWmlOSGt2bU5DY2FaakJ2dEpYU0NvMkl2UFdud0VQdkZVZ3ozZnFJUGhVbnNPTTdNTVdZSmJyaDdSQWlQVkhaYXNCSWNvVnB1NVRmRFR1KzhLY0ExS3hNNkMwMjJMcVk9S0/c2tpb3Z3OWVYTGY5QjlGZnZIQXQwcnFDOHZVdTd6b05rb0NlSmswakFDND0S1) 48Tg/dXpRSzRFOTJyMm1YWmlOSGt2bU5DY2FaakJ2dEpYU0NvMkl2UFdud0VQdkZVZ3ozZnFJUGhVbnNPTTdNTVdZSmJyaDdSQWlQVkhaYXNCSWNvVnB1NVRmRFR1KzhLY0ExS3hNNkMwMjJMcVk9S0/c2tpb3Z3OWVYTGY5QjlGZnZIQXQwcnFDOHZVdTd6b05rb0NlSmswakFDND0S1 USO cooking program is a tasty treat for troops in Kentucky USO Fort Campbell in Kentucky hosted a hands-on cooking class led by a retired Master Sgt. and former Army cook. The class focused on simple meals soldiers could prepare in their barracks and cooking techniques to help save time and money. After a great response from participants, USO Fort Campbell plans to develop this program into a monthly series. [Learn more about the USO’s “Cookin’ in the B’s” class](xqaFr/dXpRSzRFOTJyMm1YWmlOSGt2bU5DY2FaakJ2dEpYU0NvMkl2UFdud0VQdkZVZ3ozZnFJUGhVbnNPTTdNTVdZSmJyaDdSQWlQVkhaYXNCSWNvVnB1NVRmRFR1KzhLY0ExS3hNNkMwMjJMcVk9S0/c2tpb3Z3OWVYTGY5QjlGZnZIQXQwcnFDOHZVdTd6b05rb0NlSmswakFDND0S1)[»](m8Qj/dXpRSzRFOTJyMm1YWmlOSGt2bU5DY2FaakJ2dEpYU0NvMkl2UFdud0VQdkZVZ3ozZnFJUGhVbnNPTTdNTVdZSmJyaDdSQWlQVkhaYXNCSWNvVnB1NVRmRFR1KzhLY0ExS3hNNkMwMjJMcVk9S0/c2tpb3Z3OWVYTGY5QjlGZnZIQXQwcnFDOHZVdTd6b05rb0NlSmswakFDND0S1) GET INSPIRED USO supporter brings joy to service members and their families with handcrafted greeting cards One special USO supporter has 50 years of USO memories, dating all the way back to the USO-sponsored dances she attended when she was in nursing school in Dayton, Ohio. Today, she spends her spare time creating intricate greeting cards that she donates to her local USO center for use by the troops and their families. [Check out Sharon’s beautiful greeting cards here]([»]( Team USO runs the Boston Marathon! Several veterans and active-duty service members championed the USO’s mission as they ran the Boston Marathon on Oct. 11, raising money to support USO’s programs and services for America’s troops. We were honored to be represented by these dedicated military heroes! [Read more about this exciting event](gRcZ/dXpRSzRFOTJyMm1YWmlOSGt2bU5DY2FaakJ2dEpYU0NvMkl2UFdud0VQdkZVZ3ozZnFJUGhVbnNPTTdNTVdZSmJyaDdSQWlQVkhaYXNCSWNvVnB1NVRmRFR1KzhLY0ExS3hNNkMwMjJMcVk9S0/)[»]( GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT USO’s Military Virtual Programming hosts celebrities, workshops and more! The USO’s Military Virtual Programming (MVP) series delivers uplifting content to our troops and their families around the world no matter where they are. Featuring panels with movie and television stars, musical and comedic performances, celebrity chefs, and more, there is something for everyone in our MVP events. [Check out the MVP archive for all our recent programs]([»]( EVENTS USO Mission: Bravo India Delta (Mission: BID) — Online Silent Auction Going once, going twice … join the USO from November 8-14, 2021, for an exclusive online auction featuring Beats® products autographed by some of your favorite celebrities and friends of the USO. Jm/dXpRSzRFOTJyMm1YWmlOSGt2bU5DY2FaakJ2dEpYU0NvMkl2UFdud0VQdkZVZ3ozZnFJUGhVbnNPTTdNTVdZSmJyaDdSQWlQVkhaYXNCSWNvVnB1NVRmRFR1KzhLY0ExS3hNNkMwMjJMcVk9S0/ Plus, don’t miss Operation Play It Forward: Streamathon from November 11-14, 2021! Streamathon is a 72-hour gaming extravaganza and the marquee event in the USO’s Operation Play it Forward – a campaign combining both fundraising and mission delivery through gaming in support of America’s military. Service members around the world will be joined by family, friends, and special guests, including USO gaming ambassadors, entertainers, and celebrities Follow Streamathon on the [USO’s Twitch stream]( and on social media using #playitforward. Join the USO’s Trot for the Troops Virtual 5K! Give More Than Thanks from November 20-28 and gobble ‘til you wobble, run, walk, bike, or swim the 2021 USO Trot for the Troops Virtual 5K. Your support helps service members stay connected to family, home and country. Each race participant will receive a downloadable bib, T-shirt, festive holiday surprise gift, and finisher medal. [Registration is now open.]( Share your race photos and use #USOTrot to connect with supporters worldwide! [Learn more about Learn more about this exciting virtual race series and register for the Trot for the Troops 5K here]([»]( BY THE NUMBERS: 50K This month, the USO celebrates a tremendous milestone for the USO Pathfinder®Transition Program: 50K service members and military spouses served! Our teams have supported them with personalized employment, education, financial wellness, mentorship, and professional support as they navigate the complexities of transitioning from military to civilian life. VOICE OF THE USO “We loved hosting the littlest members of our military community for a Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program picnic! Military kids enjoyed story time, crafts and fresh lemonades. Thank you to our military families for joining us.” —USO Naples Team [Learn more about the Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program here](b4FL/dXpRSzRFOTJyMm1YWmlOSGt2bU5DY2FaakJ2dEpYU0NvMkl2UFdud0VQdkZVZ3ozZnFJUGhVbnNPTTdNTVdZSmJyaDdSQWlQVkhaYXNCSWNvVnB1NVRmRFR1KzhLY0ExS3hNNkMwMjJMcVk9S0/c2tpb3Z3OWVYTGY5QjlGZnZIQXQwcnFDOHZVdTd6b05rb0NlSmswakFDND0S1)[»](CGZPX8ca/dXpRSzRFOTJyMm1YWmlOSGt2bU5DY2FaakJ2dEpYU0NvMkl2UFdud0VQdkZVZ3ozZnFJUGhVbnNPTTdNTVdZSmJyaDdSQWlQVkhaYXNCSWNvVnB1NVRmRFR1KzhLY0ExS3hNNkMwMjJMcVk9S0/c2tpb3Z3OWVYTGY5QjlGZnZIQXQwcnFDOHZVdTd6b05rb0NlSmswakFDND0S1) CORPORATE PARTNERS Did you know that you can easily support the USO while you shop? At no extra cost to you, the Amazon Smile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible purchases to the USO when you select the USO as your charity on Amazon Smile. [Click here to learn more]([»](yc7/dXpRSzRFOTJyMm1YWmlOSGt2bU5DY2FaakJ2dEpYU0NvMkl2UFdud0VQdkZVZ3ozZnFJUGhVbnNPTTdNTVdZSmJyaDdSQWlQVkhaYXNCSWNvVnB1NVRmRFR1KzhLY0ExS3hNNkMwMjJMcVk9S0/) OTHER WAYS TO GIVE TOOLS TO HELP YOU PLAN Does receiving an income for life on money you give to support the USO sound too good to be true? Consider a [Charitable Gift Annuity](A-XQ7/dXpRSzRFOTJyMm1YWmlOSGt2bU5DY2FaakJ2dEpYU0NvMkl2UFdud0VQdkZVZ3ozZnFJUGhVbnNPTTdNTVdZSmJyaDdSQWlQVkhaYXNCSWNvVnB1NVRmRFR1KzhLY0ExS3hNNkMwMjJMcVk9S0/c2tpb3Z3OWVYTGY5QjlGZnZIQXQwcnFDOHZVdTd6b05rb0NlSmswakFDND0S1)!* When you make a gift of cash or securities, you can receive the following benefits: - A fixed income for life (see rate table) - Partially tax-free income for a term of years - Charitable income tax deduction - Partial capital gains tax savings when using appreciated assets to make a gift - The joy of making a gift that will ultimately benefit the USO Contact Mike Welling, USO’s Planned Giving Director, at mwelling@uso.org for a personalized illustration of benefits. The information is provided at no cost, and you are never obligated to make a gift. *The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Charitable Gift Annuities are offered through a partnership with the National Gift Annuity Foundation. There are no legal or set up fees and this giving method is fully approved by the IRS. Minimum gift amount is $20,000. Not available in Hawaii. BE A FORCE BEHIND THE FORCES® Help make sure our troops have the support they need the moment they need it As our service members put their lives on the line around the world to keep us safe, it's up to patriotic Americans like you to have their backs. Your monthly donation will go so far in ensuring our military heroes have the resources they need no matter what they're facing. [Set up a monthly donation now](8eXCg3GbVs4/dXpRSzRFOTJyMm1YWmlOSGt2bU5DY2FaakJ2dEpYU0NvMkl2UFdud0VQdkZVZ3ozZnFJUGhVbnNPTTdNTVdZSmJyaDdSQWlQVkhaYXNCSWNvVnB1NVRmRFR1KzhLY0ExS3hNNkMwMjJMcVk9S0/c2tpb3Z3OWVYTGY5QjlGZnZIQXQwcnFDOHZVdTd6b05rb0NlSmswakFDND0S1)[»]( GIVE MORE THAN THANKS® There are many ways you can support our nation’s heroes as they work to ensure our safety, health and security. Some gifts allow you to make an impact for service members today, while others allow you to extend your support for the brave men and women who protect our country into the future. [Explore smart ways you can stand behind our service members in 2021.](8eXCg3GbVs4/dXpRSzRFOTJyMm1YWmlOSGt2bU5DY2FaakJ2dEpYU0NvMkl2UFdud0VQdkZVZ3ozZnFJUGhVbnNPTTdNTVdZSmJyaDdSQWlQVkhaYXNCSWNvVnB1NVRmRFR1KzhLY0ExS3hNNkMwMjJMcVk9S0/c2tpb3Z3OWVYTGY5QjlGZnZIQXQwcnFDOHZVdTd6b05rb0NlSmswakFDND0S1)[»]( From all of us at the USO, thank you for being a dedicated and proud military supporter! The USO is a nonprofit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DOD). The appearance of DOD visual information does not imply or constitute DOD endorsement. ©2021 USO, Inc. All Rights Reserved P O Box 96 860 Washi ngton, D C 20 077-7677 1-888-484-3876 [Click Here to Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [State Disclosures](