Many people think of the USO as simply a stage show in a battle zone.
Closer to home, your local USO actually provides the support and services
needed so desperately by so many families and military members. It truly
is Help on the Home Front, provided by Greater
Jacksonville Area USO. In short, we extend the warm and welcoming touch
of home to the military and their loved ones. Our mission is an ambitious
one. And we need your help.
The Warm, Welcoming Touch Of Home
Each year, the Greater Jacksonville Area USO touches the lives of
more than 250,000-plus local active-duty military, including local and
statewide Army and Air National Guardsmen and Reserves, and their immediate
families.
From a single active duty service member residing in the barracks (BEQ) or
onboard a Navy ship, to the wife and children of a service member serving
overseas in a distant continent, those we serve have one basic need in
common—the caring, human touch of home - and, that’s what we provide. The
need cannot be overstated for access to a place
where they can receive help, community information, and wholesome
recreation and entertainment. It is the least we can give to those who
give so much to all of us.
It’s What We Do
The Greater Jacksonville Area USO provides more than $1 million
annually of "in-kind" services through a wide variety of
programs. Just a few of the many services we offer include:
Host more than 180,000 visitors each year at our three facilities
Distribute over 12,000 USO Care Packages to deploying service members each year
Operating free Cyber Cafes (with Skype) to
keep families in touch
Twice a month "free meals"
prepared and served at the Mayport USO to young service members & families
struggling to make it to the next payday.
Distribute over 12,500 long-distance
calling cards annually to keep families in touch.
Help with deployments and homecoming
celebrations.
Space for family support
groups, spouse organizations, education and more.
Host and help more than
1,000 visitors monthly arriving and departing from Jacksonville
International Airport.
Free and discounted
tickets to movies, sports events, theme parks and attractions.
