USO donations up 50% since 2007

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An estimated 50 percent increase in donations to the United Service Organizations since 2007 shows that support for U.S. troops in Iraq has not dwindled since the onset of the war.

Although the USO still is calculating last year's donations, the Arlington-based nonprofit projects a budget of more than $37 million for 2008.

"This response from the public is gratifying," said John Hanson, senior vice president of marketing and communications for the USO.

The USO, which began its operations during World War II, aims to help boost the morale of U.S. troops abroad through donations and volunteers. It uses the donations, which primarily come from private citizens, to help establish USO centers, where U.S. troops stationed overseas have access to amenities such as free Internet service and housing assistance.

"For the soldiers to be able to go someplace that is a comfortable, clean, nice place to be and is supported by American individuals and not by the government is really a great thing," Mr. Hanson said.

The donations also fund celebrity tours and concerts that entertain the troops overseas. The USO holiday tour last month featured performances by comedian Robin Williams and singer Kid Rock.

Such programs will continue this year, Mr. Hanson said.

The USO is planning to have more than 60 tours this year, with the month of January booked with appearances by rock bands Yellowcard and Third Day. Players from the National Football League is expected to visit the troops several times this year.

The concerts and guest visits provide the troops with a much-deserved break, USO officials said.

"The USO receives e-mails all the time from parents of soldiers saying 'thanks for taking care of my child,' " Mr. Hanson said. "Service members constantly thank us for being there, for having these concerts when they had a rough day."

Troops stationed in areas where the USO doesn't have service centers also receive similar shows of support.

New programs, such as "USO in a Box," provides troops with packages that contain computer games, books, musical instruments and phone cards. Such programs are also funded by donations.

The USO's success shows that support for the troops does not diminish.

"The support for our troops continues to grow each year," Mr. Hanson said. "We have over 1.5 million active individuals helping the USO."

DeAnn Malone first became involved with the USO as a tribute to her father who served in the Vietnam and Korean wars.

"What I do is for the men and women who represent us in the armed forces," said Miss Malone, a volunteer with the USO for more than three years. "As long as they're there, I'll be there."

The USO recently opened new USO centers in Colorado, New York and Texas, and it is getting ready to expand overseas. "The USO will grow as fast as the military will allow it," Mr. Hanson said.