The USO: A Home Away From Home

With more than 150,000 visits annually here in San Diego, the USO – otherwise known as the United Service Organization – dedicates its very being to serving the U.S. Armed Forces and their families worldwide [Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Reserve Component]. Hosting both a Downtown Center – where in-kind donations and resources are collected and distributed to military families in need, as well as the Neil Ash Airport Center – a location that supports new recruits, deploying units and homecoming celebrations, the non-profit faithfully defends its mission to simply "lift the spirits of [American] troops and their families."

Sara Pagano, the director of programs and public affairs for the USO’s San Diego Downtown Center, recently recalled a heartfelt moment when a young girl – whose father was overseas on deployment – selected a watch from one of their holiday programs known as Santa’s Store; it was a special present to send her dad who was away from home during the holidays. "The significance of the watch meant so much to him, that since receiving this gift, he has brought it with him on every deployment," Pagano noted.

As the New Year fast approaches, along with holiday festivities and the season for gift-giving, we begin taking time from our hectic schedules to consider how we can help others and give back to the community. However, the USO provides assistance to all active military professionals and their families year round; offering a sense of comfort through a number of services and programs and making it easier for those in the military to adapt and acclimate to a new living environment or without a close family member who is on deployment abroad.

The upcoming Santa’s Store and The Giving Tree are just two of the many programs that the USO hosts during the holidays; giving families an opportunity to bond individually and with the community, to feel less displaced as they deal with the daily challenges of military life. The Santa Store welcomes more than 1,000 active duty military families over the course of three days in December each year; children ages 4-10 are given an opportunity to shop for mom and dad [or their guardians], visit with Santa and share a home-cooked meal with their family. Such programs illustrate the type of support the military community receives locally, but also extends a sense of belonging to so many in the process.

Lorraine Richards – a volunteer of four years for the USO, helping with various administrative duties and activities including Tuesday Dinners [a weekly gathering designed for military families to enjoy a family-style dinner amidst the company of others in similar situations] – fondly noted how "the USO has been our home away from home. We have three sons in the service, [and] they [all] received care packages and support. The Holiday Program helped my large military family have a fabulous Christmas. Words cannot express our gratitude. Every time, I am able to see the joy the [USO] brings to a service member, it makes my heart swell with pride."

This year the USO will be celebrating a monumental anniversary – their 70th year of service within the community; first established regionally in 1941. And, although the USO provides assistance to our armed forces, ironically, their resources do not come from the government; however, as a congressionally-chartered effort, the organization is recognized by the Department of Defense, Congress and the President, who serves as Honorary Chairman. The local chapter is primarily funded through financial contributions from San Diego area businesses and the generosity of individuals who participate by donating to help keep its programs alive; in addition, both centers are supported through the assistance of 250 dedicated volunteers annually.

As with the endearing story of the young girl who sent her father a simple watch as a Christmas gift, making him feel loved and thought of while he was away during the holidays, Pagano reminisced and commented, "Seeing firsthand the impact of this program and knowing that we truly brought a smile to that family during [the holidays] by continuing to provide ‘our touch of home’ [with] every deployment is just one of the many reasons I am proud to [be part] of and work for the USO."

Local USO Programs

Feed Our Troops // Provides sustenance for the weary traveler through homemade soups, sandwiches and healthy snacks at the USO Neil Ash Airport Center. Individual volunteers and corporate partners assist the center, which can handle between 300-600 new recruits on busier days.

Entertain Our Troops // Through weekly pay-per-view access to a wide range of sporting events and feature movies, this program [held at the recently renovated Downtown Café] offers geo-bachelors and single active duty members a safe and fun environment to hang out on the weekends; the lounge is designed to reflect the comforts of home and an opportunity for guests to simply relax. Snacks and beverages are provided and served by friendly volunteers at no cost to our service members.

Care Packages // Offering a way to reach out to loved ones who are about to deploy or those who are already deployed, care packages can be requested for a single military member or the entire unit or command. The packages include a USO camouflage toiletry kit, non-perishable snacks, entertainment items such as decks of cards and crossword puzzles, and other useful items such as baby wipes and band aids. Additional items vary based on the season. 

The Therapy Dogs // Through weekly visits at the Neil Ash Airport Center, the List Srv4 Therapy Dog Team provides an unsaid comfort to our active duty members and their families with the help of ‘man’s best friend’; whether it is a child handling a tough goodbye or an active duty member gearing up for a flight to their next deployment, the therapy dogs have the ability to lift spirits and create an unexpected bond.

United Through Reading® // Helping to ease the stress of separation for military families, this program offers deployed parents an opportunity to read children’s books aloud via DVD for their child to watch at home; a chance to make powerful and lasting parent/child connections from afar. The DVD, a copy of the book, instructions, as well as information on the program are mailed to the child and family back home.

*Additional programs and services are offered for seasonal holidays and celebrations as well

USO San Diego

usosandiego.org