United Service Organization of North Carolina

The United Service Organizations of North Carolina (USO of NC) is the oldest continuously operating United Service Organization (USO) in the world [1] (founded April 23, 1941, in Jacksonville/Camp Lejeune) as well as the first USO[2] (at Fort Bragg). The USO of North Carolina supports military, retired military and their families in or from North Carolina. The USO of NC today operates four centers at Jacksonville/Camp Lejeune,[3] Raleigh Durham Airport, Charlotte/Douglas Airport and Fort Bragg/Fayetteville;[4] and a mobile center.[5] North Carolina is home to nearly 25 percent of the United States armed forces – active, guard and reserve.

USO of North Carolina
USO of North Carolina
56-0532315
Location
Key people
Jim Whaley
President and CEO
Revenue
$2,873,091
Expenses$2,832,081
Websiteuso-nc.org

The USO of NC is largely funded by donations from individual and corporate sponsors and operated by a small core of full-time employees and a network of approximately 700 volunteers throughout the state of North Carolina. The staff supports nearly a quarter million patrons each year at deployments, homecomings, Honor Support Team activations, airport lounges, Smiles over Miles, United through Reading and numerous other programs and services.

Programs

Smiles Over Miles

The USO helps in supporting regular communication between deployed servicemembers and family members at home. The USO of NC and Privacy Data Systems partnered to create "Smiles Over Miles", which allows servicemembers with access to an internet connection and a webcam to send large video, text, video or audio messages over an encrypted, completely secure connection to family or friends.[6]

United Through Reading

Each USO of NC center offers the United Through Reading military program, which allows servicemembers the chance to be videotaped reading a book for their children, which is then packaged into a DVD video and mailed to family members.[7]

Travel-based centers

USO of NC operates two travel based centers, in the Raleigh- Durham and Charlotte-Douglas International Airports, which function as airport lounges for military personnel, military retirees and their families. Staffed by volunteers, the centers offer comfortable chairs, books, magazines, television, movies, video games, kid play areas, and refreshments. Internet and phone use available free of charge.[8]

Service-based centers

The Jacksonville/ Camp Lejeune and Fort Bragg/Fayetteville centers serve as recreation centers, offering free pool tables, video games and Internet access.

Mobile Unit Support

The Mobile Unit is a Recreational Vehicle donated by a World War II veteran and is equipped with two large external flat-screen televisions, a small internal television, Direct TV satellite system, a DVD player, a Wii gaming system, four laptop computers with mobile internet, cell phone service and a gas grill.[5]

Honors Support Team

On-call 24/7, a team of volunteers renders planeside military-honors to fallen service members and assists family members and escorts.[9]

Deployment & homecoming support

When groups of military personnel leave or return to North Carolina, the USO of NC provides moral support and distribute deployment and homecoming care packages.[10]

Sports events

The USO of NC provides complimentary and reduced-price tickets and transportation to many sporting events.[11]

Birthday cakes

USO of NC provides surprise birthday cake deliveries to single service members E-5 and below upon request.

Food pantry

Non-perishables are available to service members and their families during times of need.

References
  1. "The Official Website for the USO of NC". Retrieved 2010-09-20.
  2. "The Official Homepage of the United States Army". Retrieved 2010-09-20.
  3. "The Official Website for Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune". Lejeune.usmc.mil. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  4. "Fort Bragg WWW". Bragg.army.mil. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  5. "Veteran donates vehicle to USO for mobile unit | unit, bodycopyrag, vehicle - News - Jacksonville Daily News". Jdnews.com. 2010-02-06. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  6. "Smiles Over Miles". Archived from the original on 2010-08-30. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  7. "United Through Reading". www.unitedthroughreading.org. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  8. "USO Center at RDU Airport".
  9. "The HST Story". Lesleysmithonline.com. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  10. "Lake cruise for the troops offers food, fun – and thanks". Charlotte Observer. 2010-07-24. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  11. "Telling the Fort Bragg story". Paraglideonline.net. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
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