USO Fort Hood is holding its annual Yellow Ribbon fundraising gala September 21 at 5:30pm at the Georgetown Sheraton to raise money for programs that support our armed forces at home, in the field, when rendering aid during disasters like Hurricane Harvey, and much more. Tickets are $100 and available at FortHood.USO.org. This event constitutes approximately 75-80 percent of the annual operating budget.
USO Director Isabelle Hubbard is pleased to announce that even if you aren’t able to buy the $100 ticket, you can still participate in the silent auction at https://usoforthood.ticket.qtego.net/tickets/. “We have so many great things available this year, and even though we are a military organization, this auction has something for fans of everything from Cowboys football to Star Wars.” The live auction has nearly a dozen VIP packages, destination packages, commemorative airplane rides, and even a full cardiac screening from Family Emergency Medicine in Wolf Ranch.
Tickets include dinner, live entertainment by Rotelle and the Hot Tomatoes, silent auction and live auction. Hubbard says all the money raised at this event stays in the Central Texas area. “Our fundraising is for our community so we can continue providing services and programs for our active duty personnel in the military community, including the Reserves,National Guard and Border Patrol. Wherever soldiers go, we go.”
For 2020, the USO has a capital plan to move from their current facility, which is 5,500 sq/ft wood building to a 32,000 sq/ft brick and mortar. Hubbard says they have outgrown their space in terms of soldiers served, programs created, as well as paid and volunteer staff. “But we will need a lot more volunteers to fill that new space at Fort Hood so we encourage anyone who wishes to help, no special skills required, to visit volunteers.USO.org.
New services include veteran transition programs for retired personnel and their spouses, as well as expansion of existing services for the growth in the area and the number of veterans who choose to remain in Central Texas after completing their service.