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 ACOA Community Service Committee Co-Chairs 

ACOA Community Service Committee meets the last Wednesday of each month from 9am - 10am

Call in information

Bridge Line:  1-605-475-4000, Passcode:  496323#

ACOA Officers Spread Cheer at the Fun Zone

By LCDR Tara Levine Houda and CDR Agam Rao

On December 2, 2017 twelve ACOA members spent the afternoon volunteering at “The Zone” in the basement level of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Scottish Rite Hospital. The Zone is open 7 days a week and is a place where patients and families can put aside their medical worries and spend time just being kids and having a bit of fun. The space was initially gifted to the hospital by the Garth Brooks’ foundation, Teammates for Kids, but is now fully funded by community contributions. Offerings in The Zone include putt-putt golf, relaxation by a koi pond, basketball, and movies in the movie theater. Scheduled arts and craft activities are also offered.

On this afternoon, PHS Officers spread some holiday cheer leading a holiday-inspired crafts activity. Crafts included making reindeer ornaments using clothespins, winter tea lights from x, and x. PHS officers provided the supplies, manned glue gun stations, and helped patients and families choose paint colors and pompom sizes. Patients had a fantastic time bonding with each other and their families while creating holiday-themed artwork. The tea light snow men were a crowd pleaser!

United Service Organizations (USO)

The United Service Organizations (USO) is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit, charitable corporation.  It is not a part of the U.S. Government. The USO is endorsed by the President of the United States and the Department of Defense.  Each President has been the Honorary Chairman of the USO since its inception.

The USO mission is to provide morale, welfare and recreation-type services to uniformed military personnel.  The original intent of Congress—and enduring style of USO delivery—is to represent the American people by extending a touch of home to the military.  Thus, although some USO programs/services are similar to those provided by other agencies, the hallmark of the USO has been and will continue to be HOW--as much as WHAT--services are provided.

The USO’s mission is to enhance the quality of life of the United States Armed Forces personnel and their families worldwide, and to create a cooperative relationship between United Military communities and those involved or supporting civilian communities. Their flagship operation is the Jean Amos Center at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (http://www.usogeorgia.org). This USO Center, because of its strategic location in the world’s busiest airport, assists thousands of service men and women and their families every year.

The Atlanta Commissioned Officers Association (ACOA) is seeking volunteers to support the monthly hospitality service at the Atlanta USO.  We staff the USO every 3rd Saturday of each month in two shifts. Shift 1 is from 1000 to 1230 and Shift 2 is from 1230 to 1500. Please note these are slightly new shifts. Commissioned Corps officers are needed to volunteer during the following days/times:

Officers are expected to serve in uniform.  The preferred uniform is service khakis.  Family members are not normally allowed to participate in the event, since USO volunteers are expected to be over 18 years of age.  Officers may bring food, groceries, games, movies, and magazines to donate to the USO of their own accord.  All officers are welcome. However, first preference for volunteering will be given to ACOA members. This is one of ACOA’s most visible activities. It is also a wonderful and rewarding service opportunity.

The USO team will send out three separate calls for volunteers each year.  One for January-June events, one for July-November events, and one for the December holiday party.

Thank you for your support!

USO Ribbon Cutting and Unveiling of the newly–renovated USO Center

The USO located at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of their newly renovated facility on July 14, 2015. This USO is the world’s busiest and most efficient airport. It has spent 38 years assisting troops being deployed, new recruits on their way to basic training and military families transferring all over the world. It is a place where the troops and their love ones are treated warmly are welcomed, respected and appreciated.

Mayor Kasim Reed, Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport officials, and USO dignitaries re-dedicated the newly-renovated USO Center. Mayor Kasim Reed of the City of Atlanta was the Special Guest speaker at the newly renovated USO facility to honor military service member and their family. A year ago the mayor vowed to create the facility for members of the U.S. Armed Forces that would emulate airline clubs located throughout the airport. The facility was upgraded to include a food and beverage hospitality suite a Skype-only dedicated computer for video conferencing, ample electrical outlets and beautiful modern furniture.

Present during the ribbon cutting ceremony was PHS officer,  LCDR Tamara Henderson, LCDR Tomika Bivins, LT Rachel Cook and myself, CAPT Stardust Mazzariello. We took a tour of the renovate facility and I must say it is simply beautiful.

This page last reviewed September 30, 2017.

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