USO News

USO Wishbook Offers Many Ways to Extend Support to Troops, Military Families

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

What makes the holiday season special for most Americans is the combination of virtues that bring out the best in people. The appreciation and care that are manifested in Thanksgiving and the benevolence and selflessness that are hallmarks of Christmas and Hanukah spread joy and bring loved ones together. These qualities are also the bedrocks of the newest initiative focused on supporting our troops called USO Wishbook.

With USO Wishbook, people are able to choose gifts for any occasion – not just the holidays – while also providing support for our nation’s servicemen and women.

USO Wishbook is an alternative giving catalog that allows customers to tailor their contributions by interest or by recipient or by price. By interest, the selections include deployed troops, military families and wounded warriors. By recipient, the choices are male, female, children and colleagues. By price, the amounts range from $25 and under to $500 and over.

When orders are completed, contributors are given the opportunity to also send an e-card greeting to the gift recipient to celebrate the special occasion and to outline how troops are benefiting from their tax-deductible gift.

This new way of giving to the USO affords Americans the flexibility to give something as small and meaningful as sending comfort foods to the frontlines or to bestow a larger offering of, for example, building a bike for a wounded warrior.

"Every year, the USO delivers what we call 'goodness' to men and women in uniform and their families. It's how we lift the spirits of troops and their families," said USO President and CEO Sloan Gibson. "Now, through the USO Wishbook, every American can find a gift that gives twice -- honor friends and family with a gift that will go around the world to support those who give so much for our country."

So as the holiday seasons approach, keep our nation’s armed forces in mind when giving thanks and showing appreciation for all our country has to offer.