Supporting the military’s weather relief efforts
January-February 2025
United Service Organizations, better known as the USO, is often at the forefront of natural disasters, offering relief to local communities. (photo courtesy of United Service Organizations)
story courtesy of StatePoint
As local communities throughout the southeast region of the U.S. coped with the damage caused by recent hurricanes, National Guard, Coast Guard and additional active-duty service members rescued people and pets, cleared roads and distributed needed supplies. These service members not only left their loved ones behind to tackle stressful disaster response missions, but many were also members of impacted communities, making their response efforts all the more challenging.
United Service Organizations was there, too, providing crucial support to the thousands of military service members responding to the call of duty.
Acting as “USO Centers on wheels,” Mobile USO vehicles and their teams provide service members with a moment of respite after long days of challenging work. In addition to offering classic USO amenities like Wi-Fi and device charging stations, Mobile USO vehicles are also stocked with hygiene kits, snacks, water and sports drinks to keep service members properly fueled and hydrated so they can stay sharp during their missions.
When electricity, water and cell service is extremely limited — or non-existent — in the wake of a hurricane, having a space where responding service members can access air conditioning, a cold glass of water or a hot meal, Wi-Fi and a charging port to reach out to their loved ones is crucial to boosting morale. That’s why Mobile USO vehicles access multiple locations over a short period, often driving right into areas most affected by the storms, so they can meet the service members where they are.
During challenging military missions, including disaster response in American communities, small moments of respite can make all the difference in service members’ operational readiness and well-being as they prepare to head out on another mission.
The generosity of donors and partners allows the USO to deploy resources just as service members receive their orders.
To support the men and women serving in the U.S. military and their families through the USO, visit uso.org.
USO FACTOID
Just prior to the onset of America’s involvement in World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sought to unite several service associations into one organization to lift the morale of the U.S. military and nourish support for it on the home front. Those entities — the Salvation Army, Young Men’s Christian Association, Young Women’s Christian Association, National Catholic Community Services, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board — became the United Service Organizations or the USO. The six stars in the USO logo represent these organizations.