Delivering joy to troops around the world
For 20 years, FedEx has teamed up with the United Service Organizations (USO) to deliver supplies and materials that help strengthen and connect service members, even in the most remote areas of the world. With the support of FedEx, the USO effectively delivers programs and packages to an increasing number of service members and their families each year. FedEx supports the USO as a part of the company’s FedEx Cares “Delivering for Good” initiative, in which FedEx uses its global network and logistics expertise to help organizations with mission-critical needs in times of disaster and for special shipments.
As a global organization, the USO manages more than 250 locations around the world and conducts outreach beyond brick and mortar centers to support military trainings and operations in austere locations. From transporting furniture for overseas centers, to shipping materials for family and military spouse programs, to delivering care packages and USO2GO kits to deployed troops, FedEx helps the USO to provide the military and their families with reminders and comforts of home.
"Around the world and around the clock, the USO works to keep service members connected to family, home and country,” said Lisa Anastasi, USO Chief Development and Marketing Officer. “Our relationship with FedEx provides logistics and shipping support that enables our organization to serve and respond to the needs of USO teams and military communities. These critical services help to ensure a core part of our important mission runs smoothly.”
Due to COVID-19, the USO experienced a shift and an increased need for many of its expeditionary services. The nonprofit also created Military Virtual Programming (MVP) and implemented other means of contactless and socially distanced mission delivery. Throughout the USO’s Combat COVID initiative in 2020, the USO supported 399 centers, installations, outreach locations and ships around the world. The effort also included distributing more than 61,000 care packages to service members in quarantine facilities and serving missions on the frontlines and more than 78 USO2GO kits.
“We have experienced how the company truly embodies FedEx Cares,” said Anastasi. “Throughout the last two decades of our collaboration, FedEx - through its employees, customers and communities - has demonstrated a commitment to the USO mission by supporting programs, sponsoring campaigns, hosting care package events and much more. We look forward to together continuing to serve those who serve us all.”
In December 2020, the USO announced its three millionth care package delivery since 2003, and FedEx helped to deliver more than 30,000 special USO Holidays care packages to locations around the world, which contributes to the company’s FedEx Cares 50 by 50 goal. During the holidays, FedEx team members also sent messages of thanks and encouragement to the troops. Opportunities like this align with USO’s mission to strengthen America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation.
This year the USO celebrates its 80th anniversary and we are proud to serve as a Force Behind the Forces® with the military nonprofit to help give more than thanks to service members and their families.