USO News

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USO Wishbook Offers Donors Treats to Give Troops for Valentine's Day

Thursday, February 09, 2012

Last year, the USO aimed to deliver a new tool that would help Americans lift the spirits of troops and their families. That goal was realized with the creation of USO Wishbook, which provides supporters a new way to donate to the USO.

"It's the first [first alternative gift website] of its kind that allows gift giving that helps America's servicemen and women around the world," USO vice president of marketing Marguerite Kirst told The USA Today in a Nov. 2011 interview. "That's really tangible, and that's something we really think Americans can respond to. ... They know (it) is going to help the troops and their families."

During the 2011 holiday season, USO Wishbook ran for approximately six weeks and during that time, the USO sold more than 14,000 gifts.

A sampling of the most popular gifts given (and are still available to purchase) were the Phone Call Home ($25), the Comfort Food Package ($15), the World of Words, which helps purchase books for troops ($15), the Bridge Back Home, which supplies phone cards and more ($25), Bedtime Stories, which contributes to our United Through Reading® Military Program ($50).

Now, the USO has added a category of our top Valentine's Day picks that gives donors more ways to show their appreciation to our nation's armed forces.

Those new items include: the Pocket-Sized Photo Memories, which gifts a USO Photo Book to troops ($25), a Special Treat of food for troops ($40), a Family Fun Day ($50), Tech to Connect ($75), Love Letters and Pigskins ($100) and Run a Center for a Day ($5,000)

Take time today to shop USO Wishbook and find something that says thanks to our country's servicemen and women.