Paying Forward

Paying Forward United Services Organization receives $50,000 grant

USO Arizona, which recently received $50,000 from the Thunderbirds Charities, has a space in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. (Photo courtesy of USO Arizona)

BY ALLISON BROWN

Sound of Freedom Sta Writer

USO Arizona received a $50,000 grant from the Th underbirds Charities to support the growing program that helps military service members and families who are serving, training and traveling throughout the Valley.

“We’re delighted,” says Carla Garcia, executive director of USO Arizona. “Th e Th underbirds have supported us in the past, and having this opportunity to collaborate once again with the Th underbirds in this enhanced way with an increased amount really does help us do more.”

Th e USO Arizona is a branch of the national organization, which was founded in 1941 by President Th eodore Roosevelt. It was in line with his famous comment during World War II, “dollars alone will not win this war,” in reference to the importance of taking care of American troops.

Since then, the organization has grown to over 260 locations and 30,000 volunteers worldwide, with a presence in 16 countries. In Arizona, there are 50,000 military members, fi ve paid staff members and 250 volunteers.

Th e USO Arizona started decades later, in 2015, and has four active operations — Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the military entrance processing station in Downtown Phoenix, Fort Huachuca in Cochise County, and Yuma Army Proving Ground. Plans are also underway for a fi ft h location at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma.

Like its headquarters, the USO Arizona strives to provide for, support and strengthen military service members by keeping them connected to their home, family and country throughout their service.

Th e historic organization works with military service members “however long that is and however many locations they travel to,” Garcia says. Th ey also help members transition out of service for several months aft erward, to ensure they get back on their feet and can adjust.

Programs are aplenty through the USO, such as baby showers; entertainment and recreation activities; nutrition and wellness programs; support in/during travel; assistance with casualties and remains; and help navigating the transition out of service.

In 2020, USO Arizona reported over 156,000 service connections, even with a tem-

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“Over time, we have adapted to whatever the environment is, whatever the needs are for the military, but over the years we’ve also adapted and innovated our programming, so we’re really a full-service organization,” Garcia says. “We do support the active-duty military members, but we also support their families.”

Th e $50,000 from the Th underbirds Charities will go toward local family programs, specifi cally for the National Guard (many of whom were activated during COVID-19) and Luke Air Force Base, as well as help with general operations and activities.

According to Garcia, USO relies on corporate partners and grants, and it has been able to grow thanks to donations like those from the Th underbirds Charities. Scott Jenkins, board president for Th underbirds Charities, said they receive requests for grants, vet the applications, and the board ultimately decided it wanted to donate to the USO Arizona.

“We’ve had a number of Th underbirds over the years who are former military, and we’ve always had the Patriots outpost at the golf course,” Jenkins says.

“Military support and appreciation of our servicemen has always been a very important aspect of our organization, and we were happy to support USO and its application this year.”

Th rough the organization’s 84-year history, the Th underbirds Charities has surpassed $165 million in donations.

Th e money comes from sporting events in the Valley, with most of it coming from the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Jenkins says the event has grown so exponentially that it is now one of the largest attended events in the world. Millions of dollars are raised from the event each year.

“I think it’s safe to say that we’ve reached millions of people over the legacy of our organization,” Jenkins says.

“In 2020 we were able to announce our largest gift yet, which was $14 million. It just allows us to help hundreds of diff erent organizations, which, honestly, they’re the true heroes. Th ey’re the true superstars of what they do for our community. Th e fact that we can play a small part in that just means the world.”

Garcia echoes that sentiment about USO and says its work comes out of respect and appreciation for the military community and what it does. USO wants to give back in any way it can. She also said it wants to do more and will continue to rely on the community to make that happen.

“We really want the Arizona public to know that USO continues to grow and serve and deliver this mission,” Garcia says.

“We welcome volunteers, and we need volunteers. I mean, now is the time we need more volunteers than ever, because there’s more to do. Our conditions have changed, and we continue to adapt, but we really do rely on the time and talent of our volunteer workforce to deliver our mission every day, seven days a week.”

USO Arizona arizona.uso.org Thunderbirds Charities thunderbirdscharities.org

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