Corporate support for the USO of Metropolitan Washington (USO-Metro) is critical to the organization, and without it, the nonprofit 5013c would not be able to accomplish its core mission of “lifting the spirits of our troops and their families,” 500,000 of whom live in the Washington-Baltimore region.
For more than 70 years, the USO has served as the way for Americans to show their support to members of the Armed Services and their families. Through USO-Metro, businesses based in the Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and the Maryland region have the opportunity to show their support to local military members and their families in a wide variety of ways –many of which are unique in nature.
For example, thanks to a generous donation from HP and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), USO-Metro will host “Operation Game On!” video gaming tournament in February 2013. The idea for a gaming tournament for military members came after a USO-Metro survey showed that video gaming is one of the most popular entertainment activities among troops, in particular single members. HP and AMD has stepped up to the plate to fund the event and will also provide a bank of 42-inch HP Digital Signage Displays to enhance the viewing of the tournament and the company will donate five new HP laptop computers to the winning team.
“AMD is dedicated to supporting communities around the world and putting people first,” said Allyson Peerman, corporate vice president at AMD and President of the AMD Foundation. “Through Operation Game On, we are delighted to work with the USO and HP to support the men and women who serve our country by harnessing the positive power that technology delivers to make every day fun!”
Most recently HP and AMD provided funding to one of USO-Metro’s key signature programs for military children: “Operation Back to School.” Military children from the Washington-Baltimore region participated in a day filled with fun educational games and activities. A total of 3,000 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed to the children all in an effort to get them excited about school.
“HP is proud to support the servicemen and women in our community by sponsoring these fantastic programs from USO-Metro,” said Christina Morrison, manager, Public Sector Marketing at HP. “In addition to providing the military with the technology needed to help complete their missions, HP is dedicated to working with organizations like USO-Metro to give something back to the soldiers who defend our freedoms.”
For the last two years, ATK has sponsored programs that provide support to wounded warriors, active duty service members and their families through unique excursions in the region. Most recently, ATK hosted a day-long field trip to Udvar-Hazy Center, where wounded warriors, troops and their families and caregivers met famed NASA astronauts Scott Horowitz and Brian Duffy.
Each service member received an autographed photo from the astronauts and was provided a photo of themselves with the astronauts showing the Discovery Space Shuttle in the background. ATK has also hosted and provided its Federal Premium ammunition for several “Skeet and Trap” events in which military members and their families gathered for the day to shoot clay targets and enjoy a festive and complimentary BBQ lunch.
“We’re very focused on recognizing the sacrifice and contribution that service members provide to our country,” said Mark W. DeYoung, President and CEO of ATK. “Through our partnership with USO-Metro, these excursion events give us the chance to really get to know our service members in an environment where they can relax and enjoy something where everyone can participate.”
In addition to outside excursions, last year, ATK leadership and employees participated in a “bike-build” event as part of USO-Metro’s “Project USO Elf” program. ATK purchased and assembled 50 bicycles at USO-Metro’s warehouse on Ft. Belvoir and helped distribute them to military kids who had wishes for a bike and submitted their list to the Project USO Elf program. This signature program allows companies, their employees and the public at large to be a holiday “Elf” and ‘adopt” the holiday wishes of deserving military children. The Elf receives a custom wish list from the military child of junior enlisted parent(s) and then shops for the desired gifts.
“Thanks to the tremendous support of local businesses, both financially and through their volunteer work, USO-Metro is able to provide critical programs and services for our military members and their families,” said Elaine Rogers, President and CEO of USO-Metro. “On average we host more than 100 events on 25 military installations throughout the year, and without the support of our corporate partners this simply would not be possible.”
For more information about USO-Metro please visit their website at www.usometro.org. Also, please remember to “Like” them on our Facebook page and follow them on Twitter by searching USO-Metro!
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