Thunderbirds Charities Awards $100,000 Grant to USO Arizona

Grant funds will support military members and families serving, training, and traveling through the Greater Phoenix area

Phoenix, Arizona – USO Arizona, the nonprofit leader committed to strengthening America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities. The grant was awarded in support of USO operations and program delivery serving military members and families who are serving, training, or traveling through the Greater Phoenix area, whether active-duty, National Guard, or reserves.

“Thunderbirds Charities has been especially generous to USO Arizona and our team is incredibly grateful. With this grant, the USO Arizona team will be able to continue to provide resiliency-building and morale-boosting programs and services to military members and families in the Greater Phoenix area, whether they are stationed here, attending training, or just traveling through,” said USO Arizona Executive Director Kelly Nastos. “These funds will directly improve the lives of over 150,000 of those brave men, women, and children making so many sacrifices in defense of our nation.”

In addition to its USO centers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix MEPS, U.S. Army Fort Huachuca, and Yuma Army Proving Ground, USO Arizona is committed to providing outreach services and programming to the entire state of Arizona. With its center at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in downtown Phoenix, the USO is there when new military members take their Oath of Enlistment and see them off for their initial training; as they serve through deployments, frequent moves, and separations from loved ones, the USO is not only a place of respite, but is also delivering specialized programs and events to boost morale and build resiliency; and, to assist with a smooth reintegration into civilian life, there are USO Transition Services for both the military member and their spouse.

For over 81 years, the USO has gone where no other non-profit can go in service of our military members and their families. With over 275 locations around the world, and spanning all seven continents, the USO provides a “home away from home” for our military and families in even the most remote locations. USO Arizona invites the local community to join in supporting our service members and military families as the USO works to keep them connected to family, home and country.