Special Programs

Hundreds of thousands of military personnel are serving in far-off places defending the liberties we hold so dear—away from their families, friends and the comforts of home. To show these troops that they have not been forgotten and to help boost their morale, the USO created the Operation USO Care Package program. This program directly supports men and women in uniform by giving individuals the opportunity to send encouragement and thanks to troops for their service and sacrifice.

Due to the threat of anthrax following Sept. 11, 2001, the Department of Defense suspended its practice of forwarding correspondence and individual care packages addressed to “Any Service Member.” Currently administered by the USO of Metropolitan Washington, the program boosts morale and provides a safe and secure way for the public to show their support. Individual items from the general public cannot be included in USO care packages, thus items are donated by or purchased directly from manufacturers in bulk.

Since 2003, the USO has distributed more than 1.5 million care packages to troops deploying to Afghanistan, Iraq and other overseas locations, as well as those arriving and departing on rest and recuperation (R&R) flights. Each care package includes a personalized message of support from the donor, a prepaid international phone card, snacks, playing cards, reading material, camo kits containing shampoo, conditioner, sun block, hand sanitizer, tooth paste, tooth brush, sunscreen and other requested and needed items. The Operation USO Care Package office takes care package requests from deployed units, and makes every effort to fulfill these requests on a first-come, first-served basis.

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