Throughout my travels in our great state of Alaska, and outside the state for that matter, I often engage in conversations with folks who value what the USO does, who value the impact that we have on our military service members and their families.
These conversations typically end with “It’s wonderful what you do, thanks for supporting our nation’s heroes,” or some variation of that statement. Though that is the end of the conversation, it doesn’t have to be the end of the thankfulness – it can be the beginning.
The beginning of an amazing journey into the selfless world of volunteering, where a few hours of time can touch and impact those who sacrifice everything in the service of our nation. Your gift of time is a way to thank our nation’s heroes in a meaningful way that truly displays the gratitude and appreciation so many have for our service members and their families.
If you have been on the fence about volunteering for a cause you believe in, and feel that there is a greater purpose for your life, consider joining USO Alaska as a volunteer. Our volunteers help man our centers, participate in fun and exciting programming, and engage single service members in their dorms and barracks. Best of all, our volunteers get to see the joy and smiles on the faces of our service members that greet the USO wherever we go.
It is never too late to live a life built around a positive purpose, and it is never too late to thank a service member for their duty, loyalty, and sacrifice. I challenge you all to consider delivering that “thank you” in person, in service to those who serve.
I look forward to seeing you at the USO.
Barrett Banks
Executive Director, USO Alaska |
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• JBER USO is open 7 days a week from 1300-1900.
• JBER Wellness is currently open 24/7
The 501st Aurora Borealis Garrison joined USO JBER on Star Wars Day – and treated fans of all ages to a meet and greet and photos!
USO JBER served lunch to spouses and moms in honor of both Military Spouse Appreciation Day and Mother’s Day! Goodie bags with spa items, chocolates, coffee, and coupon books were a big hit!
Volunteers Joe Principe and Carey Crance worked day and night, over the course of 3 days, to hand out snack bags to 500 members of the 501st returning to JBER from Norway. Tired soldiers were so happy to be greeted with treats and smiles!
Upcoming Events:
- Tasty Tuesdays- dinners provided by the USO JBER Team, BBQs will be starting in June!
- Wing Wednesday- thanks to our sponsor- 'Buffalo Wild Wings'
- Saturday Game Nights
- Pokemon Club
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In April, USO Fort Wainwright honored military children by hosting Purple Up Bootcamp. Kids navigated an obstacle course, got their dog tags and camo paint, and had tons of fun!
Even Sparky, from the Fort Wainwright Fire Department, came to support our mini-Soldiers! USO Eielson AFB hosted a Spring Crafts event in April, with kids making chickens out of popsicle sticks. This was a fun craft that parents and children loved doing together.
At USO Alaska, we hosted the American Legion and American Legion Auxillary members from across the state at our Fort Wainwright Center where we mingled and shared our mission to collaborate on how we can work together to reach more service members and families in Alaska.
USO Fort Wainwright and USO Eielson AFB celebrated Armed Forces Day in May at their respective locations; Fort Wainwright had a cookout while Eielson had cupcakes and celebration. We have a ton of great events coming up in June, some highlights are:
June 9th: Christmas in June from 5-8 pm at USO Eielson AFB
June 14th: Stuff the Truck Event
June 16th: Dinner with Dad from 5-6:30 pm at USO Fort Wainwright
July 14th: Christmas in July from 5-8 pm at USO Fort Wainwright
Check out our monthly calendar post on our USO Alaska Facebook page to see all of the events we have coming up in the Fairbanks area.
Want to come and join in on the fun?!
Contact Lindsay Dillon at Ldillon@uso.org or 907-385-9141.
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Richard Proennek once said, "The more I see as I sit here among the rocks, the more I wonder about what I am not seeing."
When the Expeditionary Team travels, we understand what he meant! From the state building in Juneau to the largest collection of totem poles in Ketchikan, and finally, to the first resting place of the American flag in Sitka, our travels to outlying military communities never cease to amaze us.
What makes our travels so special are the amazing military service members and family members that we have the pleasure of meeting. Teen-Only Nights, Mystery Dinners, Baby Showers, delivery of Thrill of the Grill items, and Alaskan Adventures with rescued bears are everything we packed into our “Island Hopping” tour this past month as we left no stone unturned in our mission to bring the USO to every location of this great state that has a military presence.
But our adventures don’t stop there! The Expeditionary Team is jammed-pack with summer fun events from Fort Greely to Homer, with stops in Dutch Harbor, Cordova, and Petersburg. And because it is the land of the midnight sun, we are not forgetting about ranges, field problems, family fun days, and of course the time-honored Yellow Ribbon Family event in Anchorage.
It is our honor and privilege to not only serve our current military service members and their families but to pay respect to those families who have lost a loved one in service to this country. As we continue our adventures under the brilliant Alaskan sun, perhaps we will see you out there as we bring the USO to the farthest corners of Alaska.
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In 2022, the USO is teaming with Victra, the leading exclusive premium retailer for Verizon Wireless, aiming to raise $1,000,000 through a consumer-facing campaign in Victra stores across the US.
The campaign simply asks customers to support our troops through a donation to the USO by way of a round-up at the cash register.
The campaign will also include promotions throughout the year. For more information about the campaign, contact chlynch@uso.org, or visit your nearest Victra retailer.
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The USO Pathfinder Transitions Program supports military spouses and service members at every stage of their military career. From taking your oath, to well into your journey to civilian life. Let’s face it; military families are constantly in transition. Moving, being between PCS’s, leaving friends and family, prepping to move, deployments, training, remote tours, TDY’s, new additions to the family, graduates heading to college, and everything in between! Having support is a beautiful thing. That’s what the USO is all about!
USO Transitions provides professional development services. Your USO Transition Specialist connects you to the resources you need, no matter where you call home. Core areas of support: employment, education, financial readiness, VA benefits, and mentoring. USO Transitions is a focused, tailored experience. Our objective is to provide you with a detailed action plan for the resources you need to obtain your personal and professional goals. Everything we do is free of charge!
Our program is a fantastic fit for spouses who focus on their families and those transitioning out of the military, preparing to pivot and join the civilian workforce. Schedule time on your calendar to dedicate to your future success and register at www.uso.org/transition.
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The USO 1941 Legacy Society recognizes those friends of the USO who make a gift through a will, trust or other estate plans to continue the USO's long tradition of connecting service members back to family, home, and country.
The generosity, dedication, and patriotism of our 1941 Legacy Society members allow the USO to continue its mission. We deliver critical programs and services that promote a healthy, resilient, confident, and prepared military as our dedicated service members continue to deploy far from their communities and family.
Among the benefits of membership include:
- Exclusive invitations to VIP events
- Exclusive invitations to USO educational and programmatic seminars
- Recognition on the USO's planned giving website
- Subscription to the USO eNewsletter
- Special USO Legacy Society pin
You can join by completing the USO 1941 Legacy Society pledge form.
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