Jeep® Brings Happiness and Hope with 10,000 USO Holidays Care Packages Stuffed for Service Members

By USO Staff

For most people, the winter holiday season unites family and friends for cherished traditions. But for many U.S. service members stationed far from home, it can be a time of loneliness and disappointment as they miss out on celebrating with loved ones, indulging in festive treats and enjoying the familiar comforts of the season. Recognizing the importance of showing appreciation and support to these people who serve, USO corporate partner Jeep® hosted a USO care package stuffing event in September, with over 150 employees assembling more than 10,000 USO Holidays Care Packages.

Jeep hosted the event in Auburn Hills, Michigan, at the North American Headquarters of Stellantis, the motor vehicle manufacturer behind Jeep and other internationally known automobile brands.

One Stellantis employee was especially moved by the opportunity to send holiday cheer to service members.

“To get a care package is hope,” said Gregory McWhorter, U.S. industrial security lead for Stellantis, as he recalled his time in the U.S. Air Force from 1981 to 2021. “When I used to get USO Care Packages when I was deployed, it brought us happiness; it showed us people cared. When I was responsible for giving the care packages to our troops, they couldn’t wait!”

The USO distributes care packages around the globe each year, and in fact distributed more than 270,000 care packages in 2023 alone. These USO Care Packages contain items that may be in limited supply in the field — such as snacks, toothpaste, deodorant, soap and razors. USO Holidays Care Packages stand out as something extra special, though. Along with essential toiletries, service members can find holiday-themed socks, USB-powered holiday lights, holiday candy, playing cards, an instant coffee pouch and a Jeep-brand reversible beanie. The beanie can be worn with their military uniform by turning it inside out, and then worn during off time with the Jeep logo visible. The beanie is always one of the most popular and appreciated items in the USO Holidays Care Package, demonstrating how on the front lines, even something so simple can bring joy.

Jeep – which, like the USO, was founded in 1941 – has been a USO partner since 2008 and has supported several USO initiatives during that time.

“The Jeep brand has a long-standing relationship with the USO, and the outpouring of support by our volunteers is one more way we all come together to stand behind our troops,” said Bob Broderdorf, head of Jeep Brand®, North America.

“From donating Jeep vehicles to USO locations, to supporting USO Gaming efforts, to participating in care package events like this one, we want to continue to do everything that we can to help the USO strengthen the well-being of service members and their families.”

Jeep has hosted USO Care Package events since 2018. This year, the USO presented Jeep with a plaque that recognizes a USO record that Jeep set last year for assembling 10,000 care packages in 45 minutes.

Larissa Rydin, USO vice president of corporate alliances, presents a plaque to Bob Broderdorf, head of Jeep Brand®, North America. | Photo credit Jeep® brand (Samuel Gulliver)

“We are grateful to Jeep for being such an incredible partner for the past 15 years,” said Larissa Rydin, USO vice president of corporate alliances. “These care packages make such a difference for our service members when they are stationed far from home, away from their family and friends during the holiday season.”

This winter, the USO will distribute 50,000 USO Holidays Care Packages to service members stationed in more than 70 countries. That’s 50,000 smiles delivered worldwide to show our service members they are not forgotten among the hustle and bustle of the holiday season back at home. The USO and the American people are by their sides — no matter where the mission takes them.