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By LAURA DESJEAN, Special to the Daily Transcript
Tuesday, September 10, 2002
Amid the tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001, there has risen a strong sense of nationalism and a unifying force in communities. Such unification is evidenced by the support received and given over the past year by the United Service Organizations, or USO.
"We got busier, with more military personnel and their families using our centers, and more citizens volunteered their time and money to support the USO in San Diego," said Col. Regan Wright, USMC (Ret.), executive director of the USO of San Diego.
The USO is a nonprofit organization, separate from the military and government. It receives support from private donations and relies heavily on time contributed by volunteers to keep its centers operating. In San Diego, there are two USO centers: one at Lindbergh Field, which serves traveling military and their families, and the other in downtown San Diego, which serves local active duty servicemen and women.
Unlike other nonprofits, many of which have struggled with fund raising and capital campaigns since Sept. 11, the USO has witnessed an increase in public support. "Though this past year held a great tragedy and challenge for both the American people and the U.S. Armed Forces, the USO of San Diego emerged from the devastation of 9/11 stronger than ever, thanks to the citizens of San Diego County," Wright said.
From monetary donations to children's toys and other household items, the USO has received support from local businesses, sports teams, celebrities and citizens. "Shortly after 9/11, a lady sent us a check for $1,000, saying she has been driving by the USO on her way to work for years and thought it was time she supported the USO with a contribution," he noted.
Donations like these have allowed the organization to serve an even greater number of people. "The Neil Ash USO Airport Center was serving an average of 6,000 people a month and saw an increase to over 10,000 a month after 9/11," Wright said. "Our downtown center also saw an increase in usage, jumping from an average of 1,500 to over 3,000 in the months immediately following 9/11. ... The nonprofit organizations that support the military are busier than ever and the demands for our programs and services are greater."
Desjean is a free-lance writer based in Encinitas.
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