USO Mid-Atlantic

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, than with good food, great company, and a whole lot of heart. This past week at our USO Kitchen on Fort Eustis, our service members got hands-on in the kitchen, whipping up homemade BBQ Ranch Chicken Bites while sharing laughs and camaraderie. But the love didn’t stop there, every participant received a special Valentine’s bag filled with goodies as a reminder of how much they are appreciated. This incredible event is part of the Let’s Cook Kitchen Series, made possible by Food Lion’s commitment to nourishing our military community. Their unwavering support continues to empower service members with practical cooking skills, promote healthy eating, and create moments of connection that make a real difference. #FoodLionFeeds

Vote for the USO Mid-Atlantic's very own, Leader as The USO Canine of the Year! ???????? ?? Cast your vote and show Leader some love! While she may not wear a uniform, she serves with every wag of her tail. Vote for Leader here:https://brnw.ch/21wQAY1 Since August 2023, Leader, a gentle and loving Rottweiler and her devoted handler, Renice, have given more than 136.5 hours of pure love and support through the USO Canine Therapy Dog program at the USO Center on Fort Eustis. From deployment send-offs to homecomings, from comforting children at TAPS Good Grief Camp to standing by soldiers preparing for the unknown, Leader is always there, offering warmth, strength, and the kind of love only a furry friend can provide. ?? Why Leader? ?Her soft fur has caught countless tears, and her gentle presence lifts spirits. ?She’s often seen pulling a little red wagon full of giggling children! ?From VA hospitals to U.S. Navy ships, she never stops spreading comfort. ?Knows the way to a soldier’s heart, through her unwavering love. Leader has already stolen the hearts of so many. Now, let’s help her win the title of 2024 USO Canine Volunteer of the Year! ??

Our USO center on Fort Eustis came alive this past Saturday, Jan. 18, with the aroma of fresh ingredients and the laughter of single service members who live in the barracks as they gathered for a special cooking class, part of the “Let’s Cook Teaching Kitchen” series. Sponsored by a $50,000 donation from Food Lion Feeds, the event marked the program’s first installment, bringing service members together to learn practical cooking skills, while fostering a sense of community and connection. Together, we’re empowering service members and their families to cook, connect, and thrive. Thank you, Food Lion, for supporting our mission in strengthening the well-being of our military communities! https://lnkd.in/ezdpGyec Stephanie Oakley, Lisa Crawford, Ambre Devoti

We're thrilled to announce a $50,000 contribution from Food Lion as part of their #FoodLionFeeds initiative! This amazing contribution will fund the "Let’s Cook!" Teaching Kitchen at the USO Center on Fort Eustis, bringing monthly cooking events to military families. This initiative is more than just about food - it’s about creating connections, promoting wellness, and supporting those who serve. We’re deeply grateful for Food Lion’s commitment to strengthening our military community. Learn more about this partnership by visiting: https://lnkd.in/ek7MmT3f Stay tuned for updates on this impactful partnership! #FoodLionFeeds!

Last Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, the USO hosted its 27th Annual Salute to Military Chefs presented by BMC Software. in Washington, D.C., honoring the unsung heroes who serve America’s armed forces and national leaders behind the scenes - our military chefs. The evening celebrated 12 military chefs nominated by senior leaders such as the President, Vice President, Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff and each respective service chief. Each honoree represents the best of military culinary arts, and their stories showcased a blend of artistry, resilience, and dedication. The event, opened by Lisa Marie Riggins, USO Southeast Regional President, brought together top military leaders, community supporters, and corporate partners to celebrate the vital role these chefs play. “Behind every one of our nation’s top leaders, there is a military chef ensuring a good meal is the last thing they have to worry about,” Riggins shared in her opening remarks. Celebrity Chef Carla Hall, co-host of the event, beautifully summed it up: “Being a military chef is a unique form of service - a blend of artistry, resilience, and love.” Thank you to our partners and heartfelt thank you to David Sims, the Vice President U.S. Public Sector at BMC Software, for being a longtime sponsor of this event for 13 years. Your unwavering commitment highlights the importance of honoring those who serve. The evening featured a six-course meal prepared by the honorees, paired with exquisite wines from Venge Vineyards, Inc., and highlighted stories of the USO’s ongoing mission to support service members and their families, even during natural disasters. The chefs honored represent every branch of the military and are culinary leaders in their fields. Honorees included: - Master Sgt. Kevin Arwood, U.S. Army National Guard - Tech Sgt. Michael De Franco, U.S. Air Force - Staff Sgt. Nahomie Fanfan, U.S. Army - Tech Sgt. Ashlee Folks, U.S. Air Force - Staff Sgt. Matthew Perlin, U.S. Space Force - CS1 Mandy Harris, U.S. Navy - CS1 Felicia Juarez, U.S. Coast Guard - CS1 Luis Sanchez, U.S. Navy - CS1 Sarah Server, U.S. Navy - CS1 Preston Smith, U.S. Navy - CS1 Jesse Thompson, U.S. Navy - Sgt. Patricia Gonzalez Ochoa, U.S. Marine Corps #SaluteToMilitaryChefs #USO #SupportOurTroops #MilitaryExcellence #BMC #Gratitude

Exciting news! During the recent groundbreaking ceremony for the Boyd Gaming Resort and Casino in Norfolk Va., Boyd Gaming generously presented the USO with a $50,000 donation! This incredible gift will help support our mission of strengthening the well-being of the people serving in America's military and their families. A huge thank you to Boyd Gaming for their commitment to supporting our military community. The Boyd Gaming Resort and Casino which is being built on behalf of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, will have 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, a 200-room hotel, eight restaurants, and a 1,300-spot parking garage. The resort and casino will sit on six acres of land?between Harbor Park and the Amtrak station, and is anticipated to be completed by 2027. #USO #MilitarySupport #BoydGaming

Delta Air Lines has been a proud sponsor of the USO for more than 15 years. Each year, Delta brings its support to life with employee volunteers participating in activities that span the globe. This past week, four Delta employees volunteered to hand out hand sanitizer, t-shirts and refreshments to traveling service members at our BWI USO Airport location. One Delta employee, Frank Nieves, a U.S. Army veteran, was so excited about supporting our service members that he is joining the USO as a volunteer! Thank you Delta Air Lines for your continued support of the USO’s mission of strengthening the well-being of the people serving in America’s military and their families.

We were honored to host our long-standing partners SAIC during their visit to The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and our USO Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall center today. A powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our service members and their families. Thank you SAIC for your generous contribution of $100,000 today so that the USO can continue to strengthen the well-being of the people serving in America's military and their families. #SAICServes?#USO #ForThePeopleWhoServe

Our USO center at Naval Station Norfolk’s Air Passenger Terminal (Norfolk AMC Terminal) is undergoing a top to bottom renovation and we could not be more excited! Thank you to our amazing partners at Lowe's Companies, Inc., and Points of Light, for teaming together and continuing their longtime commitment to communities by completing signature improvement projects in 100 hometowns across the country, including the USO’s Norfolk AMC Terminal location. Over the last two weeks, over 20 Lowe's Companies, Inc., associates, store and district managers, many of whom are veterans themselves, volunteered alongside USO staff to remove wallpaper and then sand, prime, and paint the entire center as it undergoes its much needed face lift. The USO center at NSN Air Passenger Terminal provides services and support to nearly 2,500 service members and their families each month as they transit to/from new duty or training stations. This project will improve the appearance of the space with a refreshed and welcoming reception area, new flooring, new paint, new furniture and a new water filling station for our military families and single service members to enjoy together all year round! We can’t wait for the grand reopening tentatively scheduled for November 6th!