“The Wright Patterson AFB USO is an amazing facility that directly impacts the lives and living conditions of so many men and women in uniform,” says Center Manager Mia Walthers. “Holiday times can be particularly lonely and sad for the military member. The USO is and always has been a ‘home away from home’ for the airman or soldier alone for the holidays.”
Walthers says there’s no one in the military who doesn’t understand what the USO is and what it offers. “A place that is safe, friendly, and comfortable away from the dorms and the confines of their rooms,” she says. ” Only through the generous donations of a supportive Ohio community can we continue to offer a home for the youngest and neediest of the of the men and women that serve this great country.”
The local organization falls under USOCSO (USO of Central and Southern Ohio) which covers 65 counties in central and southern Ohio, West Virginia and northern Kentucky. “We have almost 750 active volunteers. We get no money from USO, Inc. or taxpayer funding. We are a 501(c)3, separate from USO, Inc.” Walthers says.
The Center at WPAFB opened on Feb. 24, 2017. “Since that grand opening, we have provided ‘a home away from home’ for over 51,000 military men, women, retirees and their families,” says Walthers. ” We have a Cyber Café where we serve sandwiches, snack, and drinks to the young military members and their families 365 day a year. In other words, we don’t close. We are committed to keeping the center open throughout the holidays so the young service members always have a safe, familiar place to go. We also offer a game room and free Wi-Fi.”
Since the Café is free and operates through donations only, Walthers says they are in constant need of local benefactors to help keep the items available for those who stop in for a snack or a sandwich.
What they need are snack size food items, the type of snacks that might be found in a vending machine:
- Chips
- Cookies
- Slim Jims
- Mac and Cheese cups for the microwave
- Cup-a-soups for the microwave
- Individual packs of tuna
- Cheese crackers
- Peanut butter crackers
- Candy bars
“We have a unique challenge in that the average donor cannot come on base,” Walthers says. “One option for those who wish to donate is to mail in the items to the address below or go online to Sam’s, Amazon or any other site that delivers and just have the items delivered or shipped to our location directly.” The address is: WPAFB USO, Attn: Mia Walthers, Bldg. 1222, 2221 Birch St. WPAFB, OH. 45433
If you’d like to drop off items, you can take them to The AmVets of Fairborn Post #444 from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. The address is 428 Black Lane, Fairborn.
The VFW of Beavercreek Post #8312 will also accept drop-off of donations daily from 1-5 p.m. It’s located at 2389 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek.
For more information, contact Mia Walthers at (937) 904-0537 or (937) 272-0730
Meredith Moss writes about the non-profit organizations in the Miami Valley and their specific needs.
If your group would like to be included, send a complete wish list of items, information about your group and a photo to Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com
Please include a daytime phone number.
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