NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Four years ago, John West's son joined the army. His first tour took him to Afghanistan, and he is currently embarking on a 15-month tour in Iraq. Because of the army's need for his specialty, he is planning on re-enlisting at the end of his tours. Between tours, West's son was able to visit his parents; besides being a proud Army dad, West is director of sales and marketing with Southwest Convenience Stores LLC, Odessa, Texas. The only communication West received from his son before the visit took place? A phone call, courtesy of a United Service Organizations (USO) [image-nocss] center in Dallas. It is because of services such as these that CSP Information Group's CARRE Foundation has embraced the USO as its official cause of the 2008 Outlook Conference, taking place this week near Washington.
Sloan Gibson, the USO's new CEO, told attendees at Tuesday's general session that the troops truly value the services provided by the 130 USO centers worldwide because they know "America remembers and cares about them; they know they are supported, and they see that support when they go to a USO center," receive a care package assembled by USO volunteers or a phone card to make that important call home.
The USO's most recent focus has been providing services to troops stationed in remote operating bases. Because the organization can't build a USO center everywhere, it aims to touch all servicemen and women with its Mobile USO program, which provides mobile, expandable structures to the remote forward bases. Each mobile center features computers with satellite uplinks, books, video games and movies for troops, supplying a welcome respite during war.
Of course, these mobile centers come at a cost--$300,000 each—as do the other services the USO provides to the nation's troops. In 2007, the organization arranged 74 USO tours, encompassing more than 450 events. Celebrity tours can cost more than $100 million to produce, Gibson said.
That's why support of the USO is so important. As Gibson noted, any financial gifts go directly toward the soldiers, with 89 cents of every donated dollar spent directly on supporting USO programs.
"We're very thankful for the many volunteers, staff and facilities," said West (pictured). "None of this would have occurred without the USO."
As part of its 2008 USO campaign, the CARRE Foundation is accepting online pledges, in addition to providing several opportunities to give at this week's Outlook Conference: a silent auction, a raffle of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and the sale of commemorative artwork, all provided thanks to the conference's generous sponsors. It's a chance to give back to the many servicemen and servicewomen who take seriously the call to serve.
As part of the "What's Right With America" theme at the 2008 Outlook Leadership, at the new Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, Md., CSP Information Group's CARRE Foundation is collecting donations to benefit the USO. Click here to donate now.
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