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Program &
Services
1.
A
Home Away From Homethe
USO of Hawaii Centers:
The USO of Hawaii operates two centers on the island of
Oahu to provide support to the military and their
families arriving in, departing from or transiting
through the state of Hawaii. Services provided include
entertainment, gaming, Internet, information and
referral as well as a keiki (childrens) room and
complimentary pastries and coffee. Both centers are
staffed by volunteers and are open 16 hours a day, every
day of the year except Christmas. The two USO of Hawaii
centers are:
a.
USO of
Hawaii Hickam AMC Terminal Center
b.
USO of
Hawaii Honolulu International Airport Center
2.
Deployment Redeployment Support Program (DRSP):
Through the Deployment Redeployment Support Program, USO
of Hawaii volunteers and staff organize resources to
provide Aloha to our soldiers who are deploying
to Iraq and Afghanistan and when they come home.
Volunteers and staff provide refreshments and support
while the soldiers await their aircraft and then while
they wait to return to their families upon their arrival
back to Hawaii. The USO of Hawaii works closely with
all branches of the military and dedicated volunteers
and staff remain on call as flight arrivals and
departures change at a moments notice. The USO of
Hawaii is the only agency allowed to interact with the
troops during these times when they are awaiting
departure or returning home. The USO of Hawaii is also
the only agency that provides these services to our
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines in Hawaii. Over
15,000 troops were reached through this program in 2005
and over 20,000 are expected in 2006.
3.
United
Through Reading Program (NEW in 2007):
Deploying troops contact the USO of Hawaii and set up a
session to be taped reading a childrens book. The USO
of Hawaii will supply recording equipment, books and
packaging materials, and will mail a copy of the book,
along with the DVD and instructions, as well as
information on United Through Reading to the family
following the deployment. Everyone involved will
benefit from the increased morale of the entire family
and enhanced feeling of connectedness that this program
promotes.
4.
Secret
Operation Santa (NEW in 2007):
The Secret Operation
Santa includes support to several different community
events around the island to give away over 4,000 pieces
of Disney media and over $300 in exchange and commissary
gift certificates. The USO of Hawaii will work in
collaboration with the family groups at each base and
the schools to provide these holiday surprises.
5.
Military Appreciation Day at the Honolulu Zoo:
The USO of Hawaii provides a free day at the
Honolulu
Zoo including food, entertainment and educational
activities for our military and their families based in
Hawaii. In its first year the Military Appreciation Day
at the Honolulu Zoo had over 6,000 in attendance and the
next event is planned for June 2007.
6.
Base
Race Series USO Run:
Established over a decade ago as a fundraising event for
the USO of Hawaii, the Base Race Series is a 5K Run/Walk
and 10K Run that rotates between the military bases in
Hawaii. The Run is open to the public and actually
allows the civilian and military communities to come
together in showing appreciation for our freedoms and
for the beautiful running routes the bases in Hawaii
have to offer. Plans for 2007 include significant
growth for this event and additional civilian community
involvement.
7.
Thanks
for Giving Events and Volunteer Salute:
Logging an average of over 1,000 hours a month combined,
the volunteers are the lifeblood of the USO of Hawaii.
The Thanks for Giving Events and the Volunteer Salute
are events that allow the volunteers to gather and
celebrate their own good work. Awards and tokens of
recognition are provided to the volunteers during these
events.
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