Watco Team Members Raise More Than $3K for the USO Watco team members consider it a privilege to support those who serve in the armed forces. One way we do that is through an annual Independence Day T-shirt fundraiser that benefits a military organization. This year, our beneficiary is the United Service Organizations (USO). Our 2022 sales wrapped up in early June with great results: • 292 orders • 913 shirts • $3,412 in fundraising Since 1941, the USO has provided live entertainment and other programs to members of the United States Armed Forces and their families at more than 250 locations worldwide. Watco considered a few non-profits that provide support in different ways for veterans and their communities and checked them on Charity Navigator, which rates charities by evaluating their transparency as well as their accountability and financial health. Ken Killingsworth, Watco’s talent acquisition program manager for military recruiting, gave the USO a thumbs-up. “I am of course a little biased, because I have seen the USO support troops for 30-plus years in every environment,” said the U.S. Army veteran. “They do a lot for all service members. Their charter is to help keep service members connected to family, home, and the country throughout their service to the nation. As a career soldier, I have seen the USO on installations, at airports, deployed in a foreign country, and in other settings. I’ve benefited directly from their support, and so did my soldiers.” In addition to its USO gift, Watco has donated in the past to Honor Flight and Military Missions in Action. Since 2020, the company has raised more than $14,000 for military organizations.
Ju.y 2022 | The Dispatch 11
