USO provides holiday program

  • Published
  • United Services Organization
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  While many Golden Bears departed the local area to be with family and friends over the holidays, nearly 100 Airmen came out Christmas Day for the United Service Organizations' annual Home Away From Home party. The USO definitely lived up to its "spirit lifting" mission as 8 to10 single Airmen living in the dorms walked up to claim a raffle prize every 20 minutes during the fourth appearance of this event.

Gifts ranged from 32-inch HDTV's, tablets, Monster DNA headphones, fitness monitors, Southwest Airlines and Best Buy gift cards. Gift baskets were filled with small appliances, movies, games, Blu-ray players and a variety of gift cards to local establishments.

Throughout the event correct answers to trivia questions were rewarded with $10 gift cards. One lucky Airman was brave enough to play "Let's Make A Deal" and traded his raffle ticket for an unknown gift card, winning $100 in travel on Southwest Airlines.

The Home Away From Home event is made possible by local corporate partners such as Lockheed Martin, Sam's Club and Travis Credit Union who has been a sponsor since 2010. Aramark provided hot wings for hungry contestants in the wing-eating contest and private donors like Stanley Davis and Juli Harlan also supported this event.

"The level of respect and dedication these companies and private citizens have for our military members is both humbling and awe inspiring" said Jennifer Castillo, USO center manager. "It goes beyond this one event and is part of their character. I'm honored to work beside them to serve those who are serving America."
According to Castillo, the event is a favorite for Travis leadership, USO staff and volunteers.

"For four years now, the purpose was to offer a 'homey' Christmas day replacement for the youngest of those serving. It's the most family oriented holiday of the year and not going home is sometimes difficult for both military members and their families," Castillo said. "We hope that, for a few hours, they felt a bit of that holiday spirit that you usually get from being with loved ones. Food, fun, friends, people watching TV -- and the giving of presents -- all part of a traditional Christmas day and what the USO strives to offer our single Airmen living in the dorms."