Military Supporters Update: August 2023

YOUR USO AT WORK ISSUE 115 August 2023  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ [USO]( [DONATE NOW »]( YOUR USO AT WORK Issue 115 / August 2023 With Labor Day weekend coming up and back-to-school season in full swing, it’s more important than ever to appreciate and remember our troops who are sacrificing these moments in the name of duty and the protection of our nation. Thank you for always having their backs, especially during times like these. Keep reading to learn about all the work your support has helped make possible in the past few weeks. USO FRONT LINES [Service members responding to the wildfires in Maui, Hawaii]( Hawaii Updates From USO Responds The devastating wildfires in Hawaii earlier this month have caused immense distress and turmoil. The Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and the Army were on-site in Maui, providing support for search and rescue and debris containment. USO Responds provided meals to the service members on 24-hour shifts who are working hard to support the community. USO Responds is a program that supports the National Guard and other military as they respond to national disasters. [Click here to help provide essential supplies needed for our troops in the wake of this disaster.*]([»](C4/aVR2b2wwb1Fxc3h1WVZsWnUvS3dKWDN6eDZrKytlREdUMXdaQWZwWVlGckIxRGVmSGR0ZXBMN0pEOGVwNVJaRU1DbmloL2duS0xYVmo0ZktBN2pDemFsOHNuUXBnK00yK0FnOE5xK1VYKzA9S0/d2cxZk5JZUYvVUdjaWZHUEtmSTE2N0lGYWQvWkJGQUNFTFdlSWlwTXQwND0S1) [GIF of dogs]( Vote For Your Favorite USO Canine Volunteer! Be a part of the first ever USO Canine Volunteer of the Year award by voting for your favorite USO Canine Volunteer today! The competition is part of the USO Canine Program, which recognizes the positive physical, mental and emotional impact dogs can provide to service members and their families. The nominated dogs are Apache, Irma, Maverick and Pepper. [Learn more about these special USO Canine Volunteers and cast your vote today.]([»]( GET INSPIRED [USO Expeditionary Program in Alaska]( Air Force Veteran Hits the Road To Deliver USO Support For Air Force veteran and USO team member Rita Conley, serving warmth, joy and USO hospitality in the great yet isolating outdoors of Alaska is second nature. [Read about her exceptional dedication to creating human connection and community support with and for our troops stationed in Alaska.]([»]( GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT [Comedian Iliza Shlesinger]( Comedian Iliza Shlesinger Tours U.S. Bases Near Tokyo The comedian, actress and TV host visited three U.S. military bases in Japan as part of her “Hard Feelings” tour last month. Partnering with the USO, Iliza brought laughs and smiles to over 2,000 brave service members and their families stationed across the country. [Learn more about Iliza, her tour and her thoughts on performing and making our troops feel at home.]([»]( EVENTS [Inaugural Toddler Fun Fest at USO Anderson](8eXC0Nwmvh0/aVR2b2wwb1Fxc3h1WVZsWnUvS3dKWDN6eDZrKytlREdUMXdaQWZwWVlGckIxRGVmSGR0ZXBMN0pEOGVwNVJaRU1DbmloL2duS0xYVmo0ZktBN2pDemFsOHNuUXBnK00yK0FnOE5xK1VYKzA9S0/) USO Andersen Hosts Inaugural Toddler Fun Fest As part of the USO's youth programming, USO Andersen launched its inaugural event for 57 parents and toddlers who participated in a social hour featuring crafts, coloring pages and snacks amid the opportunity to make new friends and strengthen the bonds within our island community. [Browse photos from this exciting new event here.]([»](4S4/aVR2b2wwb1Fxc3h1WVZsWnUvS3dKWDN6eDZrKytlREdUMXdaQWZwWVlGckIxRGVmSGR0ZXBMN0pEOGVwNVJaRU1DbmloL2duS0xYVmo0ZktBN2pDemFsOHNuUXBnK00yK0FnOE5xK1VYKzA9S0/) [Purple Heart medal]( BY THE NUMBERS NINE August 7 was Purple Heart Day, a day to pause, acknowledge and remember the sacrifices made by the brave members of our military. [Here are nine things you need to know about the Purple Heart medal.]([»]( VOICE OF THE USO "Dogs bring happiness, they bring joy, and they connect you to things you love. People are going to have that connection when they come into the USO, being able to pet the dogs will provide that time away from the stressors. Allowing them to recharge, reconnect and regroup!" — Luisa Mazzella, USO senior area operations manager of Italy and Spain, on the new USO Canine Program at USO Sigonella OTHER WAYS TO GIVE [Image of service member.]( PLANNED GIVING You can help service members draw strength from connecting to the things they love and fight for while earning an income from your gift. Charitable gift annuities (CGAs) offer a secure, fixed payment stream for yourself and/or a loved one for your lifetime(s). You will also receive tax benefits and the satisfaction of creating a lasting legacy through the USO. [Learn more.]([»]( From all of us at the USO, thank you for being a dedicated and proud military supporter! * Your contribution will be joined with the contributions of others, and used where it is needed most to strengthen America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country. United Service Organizations, Inc. (USO) is a nonprofit 501(ϲ)(3) organization (EIN/Tax ID: 13-1610451) and not part of the Department of Defense (DOD). The appearance of DOD visual information does not imply or constitute DOD endorsement. ©2023 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]( [USO Logo](