Project USO Elf is a program whereby companies, individuals, and families can provide holiday gifts to a military child in need during the holiday season.
In 2008 USO-Metro began receiving calls from service members seeking assistance in providing gifts for their kids due to financial hardship. It was also during this time that USO-Metro received an increase in calls from the public wanting to give back to our military and their families during the holiday season.
Through Project USO Elf, military families can register their children to be sponsored by "Elves" (generous corporate and individual donors)s. Children will receive age appropriate gifts personally selected by their sponsor from the child's gift wish list.
Project USO Elf is open to the children of active duty service members, E5 and below. Registration opens on October 1, 2013 and closes by midnight October 28, 2013 or until filled. REGISTRATION IS FULL.
Please read and follow directions when registering. If you do not register correctly you will be removed from the registration and asked via email to re-register. Should this happen there is no guarantee that spots will still be available.
Key things to remember to register:
- Registration should be completed using the service member's first and last name and the service member's military email address. Any registrations that are completed using any other email address will not be accepted. If you are the primary contact, there will be an opportunity for you to provide an additional email address further in the registration process.
- Program is open to active duty E5 and below there are no exceptions. You will be required to show military ID when you pick up your items.
- You must provide accurate information for the Senior Enlisted Service Member (E7, E8, E9 or service branch equivalent). You must have your E7, E8, E9 or service branch equivalent rank, first and last name (Ex. CSM John Smith), phone number and correct military email address. If registrations list N/A, Civilian information or just the senior enlisted leader's name to answer the question the registration will be removed and the service member will be asked via email to re-register should space still be available.
- In order for USO-Metro to serve as many service members and their families as possible this holiday season, families may only register their child for Project USO Elf (age restriction 1 - 18 years) OR HealthNet Celebration of Children (age restriction is 4-11 years). Example: If you have two children and one child is 6 years old (and is registered for HealthNet Celebration of Children), and the second child is 14 years old, the 14 year old would be eligible to participate in Project USO Elf, but not the 6 year old who is already registered for HealthNet Celebration of Children.
- Due to event site limitations families can only register four kids, if you have more than four dependent children please contact USO-Metro at usometroholidayprograms@gmail.com.
- We strongly recommend when registering you provide a detailed wish list. This helps us make sure children receive age appropriate gifts. If you leave it blank we cannot guarantee the types of gifts your child will receive.
- Each child registered will receive a minimum of two gifts and/or a gift card. Requests for electronics and or gaming systems may not be considered.
- USO-Metro is unable to hold gifts after the pick-up date. Unclaimed gifts will be distributed to our wait list or donated to other local children in need.
- Once you submit your registration, the location you selected cannot be changed.
- If an emergency situation arises and you cannot make the pickup date, please notify us before at 703-888-7602. We will not be able to hold items this year due to lack of storage space.
Please check your calendar. If you cannot make the event please do not register. USO-Metro's cancelation and no-show policy is in effect. If you register and do not show up to pick up your items USO-Metro will take the following actions:
1. You will not be allowed to participate in next year's holiday programs.
2. You will not be eligible to receive tickets through USO-Metro's Ticketline program until July 1, 2014.
3. USO-Metro will notify your Command/Senior Enlisted/E7 or equivalent that you did not show up to pick up your items.
We apologize for being so strict, but space is extremely limited in these programs and those who do not follow through on their commitments take away assistance from another military family that could have used the help.
Please feel free to contact USO-Metro Holiday Programs Team with any questions about this program at 703-888-7602 or usometroholidayprograms@gmail.com.
All information requested in the registration must be completed. Make sure the service member's contact information is correct as we will be validating all email and contact information. If any information provided in your application is false or incomplete the registration will not be processed.
Questions still? Please contact the holiday hotline at usometroholidayprograms@gmail.com or 703.888.7602.
