USO Responds to California Wildfires

		The USO is a private nonprofit, charitable organization relying on contributions from individuals, organizations and corporations to support its programs for service members and their families around the world. The USO serves as the link between the American people and our men and women in uniform. The mission of the USO is to bring a touch of home to service members and their families. (PRNewsFoto/USO) WASHINGTON, DC UNITED STATES

Local USO Center and Mobile USO Aid in Relief Efforts ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The USO is proud to aid service members and their families affected by the California wildfires and participating in the relief effort. Through the USO of San Diego and Mobile USO program, the USO provided service members and their families financial support and a home away from home during this natural disaster. (LOGO: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031119/USO ) With the help of the USO of San Diego, an additional $20,000 will help 17 military families from Navy Region Southwest who lost their homes in the wildfires. This money will be used to replace household items such as furniture, adult and children's clothing, kitchen appliances and electronics. More than 500 military personnel and Department of Defense civilians on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. were displaced due to water and electricity outages caused by the wildfires. On Oct. 25, the western region Mobile USO, stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., provided a comfortable place to relax, have a snack, watch Game 2 of Major League Baseball's 2007 World Series and movies or connect online with family and friends during this tragedy. The Mobile USO continues to serve more than 500 National Guardsmen temporarily stationed at Montgomery Field Airport, San Diego, participating in the relief effort. Longtime USO supporter Lockheed Martin has committed $20,000 to support the Mobile USO deployed to the area. "The California wildfires have once again put America's resolve to the test," said Edward A. Powell, USO president and CEO. "The USO is proud to answer the call, providing our special brand of services to our men and women in uniform." "USO San Diego is honored to be a part of a community that comes together, as the San Diego region has these past two weeks. It is a great honor that we were able to provide immediate support to help assist local military personnel displaced by our recent fires, continuing our steadfast support of the armed forces," said Susan Farrell, president and CEO, USO of San Diego. Created in 2006, the Mobile USO program comprises specially-equipped four-wheel drive vehicles that enable the USO to extend morale-building services to troops and their families in remote and isolated areas. The Mobile USOs offer lounge areas with television and home theater systems, four computer and video gaming stations, a cafe and library. The three Mobile USOs are stationed in Las Vegas, Chicago and Hampton Roads, Va. About the USO: For more than 66 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems North America, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, DRS Technologies, Inc., S & K Sales Co., TriWest Healthcare Alliance and The Walt Disney Company. Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO. For more information on the USO, please visit our Web site at http://www.uso.org.