Stories

Operation: I’ll Be Home for the Holidays 

None of this would be possible without the support of our USO partners, generous individuals and community organizations. THANK YOU for Bei…

Lighting the Spark (of Volunteerism) 

You never know what lights the spark in a person to volunteer but back in 2016 and at the age of 8, Emmi wanted to find a way to say ‘Thank…

Gold Star Daughter Connects with MIA Father Through Deployment Letters 

Walking into the USO Fallen Warrior Family Room at the Norfolk International Airport (ORF) in Norfolk, Virginia, is never an easy task. The…

Snack Food Drive Helps USO HRCV Centers Stock the Shelves 

It may seem trivial to a lot of people. Having a quick snack, cup of coffee or soda before a flight at a Hampton Roads and Central Virginia…

USO HRCV Takes Coffee Connections on the Road 

The average military spouse can move 8-12 times in the span of a 20-year military career, which often results in starting over in each loca…

USO Announces Partnership with Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation 

USO Announces Partnership with Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation for American Hero Dog Companion Initiative

USO Celebrates Service Members, Families During USO Experience Virginia Beach 2022 

The United Service Organizations (USO) Hampton Roads and Central Virginia (HRCV),USO HRCV Outdoor Adventure Team (OAT) and the City of Virg…

April: Month of the Military Child 

April: Month of the Military Child The month of April is most often associated with Spring and thought of as a time of renewal. Plants and …

HRCV USO Volunteer best in the Southeast 

People all over the globe choose to volunteer with organizations or causes they are passionate about for many different reasons. Some volun…

HRCV Volunteers crucial to mission success 

There are countless ways volunteers support the USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia, but they are all unified with a dedication to ou…

A Little Bit of History 

Dorianne Villani looks at the autographed biography of Tuskegee Airman Ezra Hill, Sr., U.S. Air Force, Master Sergeant retired, that she fr…

Transitions: Providing Clarity Amongst the Chaos 

Experiencing “information overload,” checklists galore, unit out-processing and most likely a move to a new permanent address are all decis…

Mobile Holiday Parties huge success in HRCV 

The COVID-19 Pandemic began in early 2020 in the United States and it changed life forever for nearly every human being on the planet. It f…

Happy Halloween from HRCV 

No tricks, just treats this year as the USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia partnered up with MWR teams across the region and partici…

USO HRCV and Heidi Murkoff Celebrate Military Moms at Special Delivery Baby Shower presented by Johnson & Johnson 

For the third year, the USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia celebrated military moms across the region, and once again due to the pan…

‘I felt they were there with me for a few seconds, and that was the best feeling,’ Young Marine Celebrates First Birthday Away from Home with USO HRCV’s Operation Birthday Cake Surprise 

When service members are deployed or conducting training away from family and loved ones, the typical surprise birthday party, cookout with…

Help the USO Stuff Holiday Bags for Service Members! 

Calling all of Santa’s helpers! You can help the USO spread some holiday cheer to our Air Force, Army, Coast guard, Navy, and Marine servic…

Outdoor Adventure Team Launches Community Garden to Promote Healthy Living 

The COVID-19 pandemic sparked a number of new hobbies all over the country, including at-home fitness, art and food projects, and the rise …

VIP Track Day for Military Family 

On September 11, 2021, USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia (USO HRCV) teamed up with Fox Richmond - WRLH and Richmond Area Toyota Dea…

USO HRCV Mobilizes to Support Deployed Military Assisting in Operation Allies Welcome 

Wherever duty calls, the USO is only a call away to support our military. USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia (USO HRCV) provided a b…

Welcome Home, USS Laboon! 

On July 16, 2021, sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) returned to homeport at Naval St…

USO, ASUS, and eNASCAR Team Together, Deliver State-of-the-Art Simulated Racing to Service Members at Fort Eustis USO Center 

The United Service Organizations (USO), ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG), and eNASCAR teamed together on June 24 to deliver two custom built, …

Donuts for Dads: Celebrating Father's Day with Dads of the Military! 

In celebration of Father’s Day, USO HRCV centers launched Donuts For Dads on Friday, June 18. Active duty dads, reserve/national guard dads…

USO Hampton Roads and Central Virginia Hosts USO Experience Virginia Beach 2021 

The United Service Organizations (USO) Hampton Roads Central Virginia (HRCV) and the USO HRCV Outdoor Adventure Team will host USO Experien…

USO HRCV Launches MilKids Tour in Celebration of Month of the Military Child 

The month of April is designated as the Month of the Military Child to acknowledge and celebrate the important role military children play …

Dollars for Duty a Workplace Giving Campaign 

During Military Appreciation Month, in partnership with the USO, companies will have the opportunity to unite their employees by giving the…

Star Wars Costume Contest! 

Dress up in your favorite Stars Wars costume and share your photos with us on Facebook for a chance to win a prize! The costume contest wil…

Harris Teeter launches 2021 Support Our Troops campaign, invites shoppers, associates to donate to the USO 

Harris Teeter announced today the launch of its annual Support Our Troops campaign to benefit the USO. Now through June 15, Harris Teeter s…

Little Patriots Trunk Hop: An Easter Celebration for Military Families! 

On March 21, 2021, USO Hampton Roads and Central Virginia (USOHRCV) kicked off the Easter holiday season with Little Patriots Trunk Hop, a …

USO Celebrates Women’s History Month throughout the Southeast U.S., Honoring Women Service Members 

Women’s History Month is a time when Americans honor women who have helped shape our country over the years through their remarkable achiev…

Self-Care Sunday: Celebrating International Women's Day with Local Active Duty Women 

As a woman in the military during a pandemic, active duty women face unique stressors and challenges. The USO Hampton Roads and Central Vir…

New Program: Read, Write & You! 

For additional resources such as great children’s literacy tips, fun educational activities, research on children’s literacy and more, plea…

USO Rapidly Deploys Expeditionary Gaming Center, Supports National Guard in D.C. 

Building an expeditionary or temporary USO location is no easy feat – but pivoting to meet the ever-changing needs of service members is wh…

Resilience in Action: Outdoor Adventure Team Year in Review 

To learn more about the Outdoor Adventure Team, click here.

Local Boy Scouts Donate $25,760 in Popcorn to USO 

Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America donated $25,760 in Scout popcorn to the USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia.

For Service Members in the Southeast U.S., who couldn’t make it Home for the Holidays, the USO Brings Home to Them 

Although thousands of service members travel home for the holidays every year, there are many who remain behind at military installations d…

6,500 Service Members Head Home for the Holidays thanks to USO HRCV Airport Centers 

Through the Operation I’ll be Home for the Holidays Program, USO centers at Norfolk International Airport (ORF), Richmond International Air…

Spreading Hope for the Holidays 

Help us continue spreading Hope for the Holidays here. It’s a holly, jolly holiday with the USO! USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia …

USO HRCV Launches USO Holidays to Support Heroes Who Serve Far from Home This Holiday 

Click here to join the USO in spreading Hope for the Holidays! The USO Hampton Roads Central Virginia, whose mission is to strengthen servi…

USO Hosts An EXTRA Special Virtual Baby Shower with Heidi Murkoff 

For eight years, the USO and What to Expect have hosted baby showers for military moms-to-be and new moms around the globe. Due to the coro…

Washington Football Salute Touching Base Tour heads to Hampton Roads & Central Virginia 

Since 1966, the NFL and USO have been aligned in partnership, committed to honoring and celebrating our service members and their families …

Giving Tuesday: The Global Generosity Movement 

This Giving Tuesday, USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia will inspire generosity by encouraging our supporters to help us provide our…

By the Numbers: Being a Force in 2020 

2020 has been a year of unique challenges for our military and your local USO. Service members are being quarantined from their families an…

Mission Delivery in Action: NAS Dam Neck Annex 

It takes a Force to keep our service members connected to home, family, and country through Mission Delivery. On July 15, 2020, a team of U…

USO To Go! Summer Family Activity Bag Curbside Pick-Up 

Although our comfort centers are still temporarily closed, team USOHRCV is committed to supporting our service members and their families. …

USOHRCV Celebrates Wawa's Hoagie Day with Local Military 

For the first time in Wawa’s history, all 900 Wawa stores across PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA, FL and DC united together on July 1st to build a combi…

Meet our New Partner, Grifols 

Now more than ever, USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia offer our gratitude to medical professionals keeping us safe and healthy duri…

Meet our Board Chair: Ed Brunot 

Edward “Ed” Brunot proudly serves as the current Board Chair of USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia. Specializing in culture creation…

Operation Ice Cream Social Distance 

Even when quarantined, Team USOHRCV is serving our military by assembling care packages, providing virtual programming, and offering sweet …

Shop with Target Circle, Give to the USO! 

We are honored and excited to announce that we have been chosen to participate in a special charitable giving campaign, sponsored and funde…

Give Local 757: May 11 

On May 11th, USO HRCV is yet again participating in Give Local 757, one of our community’s largest giving days of the year! Because of the …

Combat COVID-19: Mission Keep Them Strong 

This article was last updated on April, 27, 2020

Virtual Programs Survey 

The mission of the USO is to keep our service members connected to family, home, and country, wherever they are in their service. As our so…

Meet the Board: RADM Charles "Chuck" Beers, USN (Ret.) 

Rear Admiral Charles “Chuck” Beers is a long-time supporter and Chair Emeritus USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia. His patriotism ha…

USOHRCV Scores a 4-Star Rating By Charity Navigator 

The core values of the USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia (USOHRCV) are recognized as the foundation of our culture, brand, and oper…

Bryant & Stratton College- Softball Players Wanted! 

Attention active duty women, veterans and spouses-softball players wanted! Bryant & Stratton College is now recruiting for the 2019-2020 se…

There is no USOHRCV Without "U": Make an Impact! 

Some of our service members give everything for our freedom- consider giving them something in return by supporting your local USO. The mis…

Cookies & Cocoa with Santa 2019 - Little Creek Photos 

If you enjoyed this event, please share your USO story here! iPhone XR UK deals uswitchPowered by flickr embed.

Cookies & Cocoa with Santa 2019 - Langley AFB Photos 

If you enjoyed this event, please share your USO story here! Powered by themesortPowered by flickr embed.

Cookies & Cocoa with Santa 2019 - Fort Eustis Photos 

If you enjoyed this event, please share your USO story here! iPhone XR UK deals uswitchPowered by flickr embed.

Your 2019 Impact! 

Thanks to you, Military members and their families in our community can get the support they need to feel connected. Here’s a summary of al…

Home for the Holidays 2019 

Thank you to all who attended our 2019 Home for the Holidays Concert!

Home for the Holidays Concert $500 Gift Card Giveaway 

This application is now closed. See you at the Home for the Holidays Concert! Join us at the 2019 Home for the Holidays Concert, December 7…

Happy 244th Birthday Marines! 

Happy 90th Birthday Ms. Jackie! 

USOHRCV would like to wish a Happy 90th Birthday to Ms. Jackie at our Little Creek center!

Walgreens Continues to Be The Force Behind our Military 

Walgreens is joining your local USO to support service members and their families! From Oct. 7 to Oct. 21, customers at any Walgreens locat…

NASCAR Day for Military Families 

On September 20-22 2019, NASCAR partnered with the USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia for a free and fun day at the Richmond Raceway…

Outdoor Adventure Team Remembers Extortion 17 Warriors With an Honor Ride 

On August 6, 2019, our Outdoor Adventure Team (OAT) hosted an honor (cycling) ride to remember the lives lost during the Extortion 17 missi…

USO Family Activity Box Brings Military Families Together 

The USO created the Family Activity Box program with one goal in mind: to afford military families a bonding experience for both the parent…

USO, What to Expect and Target present Special Delivery– JEBLC 

View photos from the event here!To download your photos, email Krystle at Krystle@usohrcv.org for the 4-digit download pin. You cannot down…

Autobell Locations Raise over $11,000 for Our Military 

Way to go, Autobell Car Wash! Autobell kicked off their national promotion to raise funds for USO charters from June 17 to June 30, 2019. $…

USOHRCV Celebrates Coast Guard Day with Families at TRACEN Yorktown 

Happy 229th Birthday, Coast Guard! Team USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia (USOHRCV) was invited to the U.S. Coast Guard Training Ce…

USOHRCV Welcomes USS Arlington and USS Kearsarge! 

On July 18, 2019, USS ARLINGTON and USS KEARSARGE made their way back home to Naval Station Norfolk from deployment. Families, loved ones, …

24 Facts for the Army's 244th Birthday 

#1. Nearly 70 percent of all Medals of Honor have been awarded to soldiers. And 1,198 of the Army’s Medals of Honor were awarded for action…

Dunkin' Franchise Owners Provide Tasty Treats for Troops on National Donut Day 

Dunkin’ Franchise Owners Provide Tasty Treats for Troops on National Donut Day Join us at select USOHRCV centers on Friday, June 6, 2019, f…

Round Up at Harris Teeter to Support Your Local Troops! 

Harris Teeter has proudly supported local USO chapters, service members, their families, and those wounded in the line of duty. With the he…

Girl Scouts of Colonial Coast Donate More Than 32,000 Boxes of Cookies to USOHRCV 

The only thing sweeter than Girl Scout cookies, is their support for our local men and women in uniform! On Saturday, April 6, Girl Scouts …

Sesame Street Live Contest! 

Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party!, is coming to the Ted Constant Center in Norfolk, VA. USOHRCV in conjunction with Feld Entertainment is gi…

Miss Virginia Junior High Supports Service Members at USO Norfolk International Airport 

According to the Grau family, supporting local service members is a family affair. Local military spouse, Sarah Grau, volunteered with her …

Operation Ramen Rallies Noodles for the Troops 

It takes an army of its own to care and feed for the over 200,000 service members who walk through the doors of USOHRCV’s 12 USO locations …

International Women's Day 2019 at USOHRCV 

At USOHRCV, we celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of women in our armed services every day. Here’s a quick snapshot of just tw…

Read Across the World: Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program 

Did you know March is National Reading Month?

How You Can Be a Force Behind the Forces 

When it comes to supporting our service members, the sky is the limit! There are many ways that you can raise awareness of the USO of Hampt…

2019 USO Warrior Classic: A Hole in One to Support Service Members 

The 2019 Warrior Classic will return to Aeropines Golf Course on board Naval Air STation Oceana on Friday, May 17 2019. This 18-hole Florid…

It All Started at Fort Lee: A USOHRCV Love Story 

Our volunteers are the oil to our machine, and often times they are retired service members with a passion to give back to their military c…

Wawa 8105 Hampton Blvd Grand Reopening Ceremony 

Join Team USOHRCV for the Grand Reopening celebration of the Wawa store located at 8105 Hampton Blvd in Norfolk, VA on Mon., Feb 11 at 10AM…

USO Langley AFB Recognized as Volunteer Organization of the Month 

Every day, our centers make a tremendous effort to support our local military communities, especially our USO Langley AFB center. On Thursd…

USOHRCV Volunteer, Amy Harris, Wins President's Volunteer Service Award 

For over 77 years, the USO has been the nation’s leading organization to serve the men and women in the U.S. military, and their families, …

Norfolk Tides win Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award 

When it comes to supporting local armed forces, the Norfolk Tides hit a home run. The Hampton Roads area is the largest military community …

JEB Little Creek Operation: Cookies & Cocoa with Santa 

Download and share your photos from Operation: Cookies & Cocoa With Santa at USO Fort Eustis! We hope you all had a wonderful time! Please …

Langley AFB: Operation Cookies & Cocoa with Santa 2018 

Download and share your photos from Operation: Cookies & Cocoa With Santa at USO Fort Eustis! We hope you all had a wonderful time! Please …

Fort Eustis: Operation Cookies & Cocoa with Santa 2018 Photos 

Download and share your photos from Operation: Cookies & Cocoa With Santa at USO Fort Eustis! We hope you all had a wonderful time! Please …

Home for the Holidays Concert 2018 

Thanks for joining us! We hope all families enjoyed a visit from Saint Nick and Mrs. Claus! Download and share your photo with Santa from t…

You Shop. Amazon Gives! 

Did you know that Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia?

Sweet Giveaways This Veteran's Day Weekend! 

Thank you to our sponsors, Dunkin’ Donuts and Kroger, for supporting our veterans, active duty military, and their families! This Veteran’s…

Be the Force this Giving Tuesday 

Show your support for your local USO and be the force behind service members and their families living and working in our community by gett…

USOHRCV and Virginia Aquarium distribute 4,000 tickets to Military and Military Families 

Virginia Aquarium Partners with USO Hampton Roads and Central Virginia to Bring Military Families on an Underwater Adventure Over 4,000 ti…

Birdies for Charity 

Birdies for Charity Presented by TowneBank PGA TOUR Champions First Round Playoff Event The Country Club of Virginia, James River Course …

Harris Teeter partners with local USO for Military Appreciation Month 

During the month of May, shoppers can visit their local Harris Teeter grocery store to show their gratitude for our service men, women, and…

Operation Ramen 2018 

What does it take to be a “Force Behind the Forces”? It could mean that you volunteer, it could mean you donate to the USO, or it could mea…

Mission Moment: Jumping in when the help is needed 

Dave Glaeser, a regular volunteer at USO Newport News/Williamsburg Airport, recently drove to Richmond Airport to drop off his girlfriend f…

Military Art Exhibit opens in Petersburg, VA 

Petersburg, VA - Morena Bohemia Art Gallery in Old Towne, Petersburg, VA opened a special gallery exhibit featuring artwork from military a…

Richmond Airport Volunteers Mobilize a Dignified Transfer Team 

Richmond International Airport Center Director, Tricia Riggs, read an article about the USO-NC Charlotte Dignified Transfer Team, a careful…

Liberty Tax Press Release on Combat-Injured Veterans and Tax Refunds 

MEDIA CONTACT: Martha O’Gorman Chief Marketing Officer Liberty Tax Service (888) 848-5344 martha@libtax.com

USOHRCV wraps up Operation: I'll Be Home for the Holidays with record breaking support! 

USO Hampton Roads and Central Virginia would like to thank all who supported our 2017 Operation: I’ll be Home for Christmas (AKA Block Leav…

USOHRCV Volunteer of the Quarter: Debra Dewalt 

We’re proud to kick off 2018 by announcing our Volunteer of the Quarter, Debra Dewalt!

Operation: I'll be Home for the Holidays (Block Leave) 

MEDIA CONTACT: Elan Enriquez, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Communications USO Hampton Roads and Central Virginia Elan@USOHRCV.o…

Liberty Tax Supports USOHRCV and Military Members with $50,000 Sponsorship 

Wawa Campaign 

We have had a great relationship with the Wawa Foundation for the past 6 years and we are proud to have them this year again for the annual…

Kroger "Honoring Our Heroes" Campaign 

This summer the USO has once again been invited to be the beneficiary of Kroger’s “Honoring Our Heroes” campaign. This campaign is part of …

Help Dunkin’ and the USO make life sweeter for local military service members. 

Dunkin’ will collect $1 donations for the USO at participating locations across Hampton Roads. An icon with your name on it will be hung in…

Fallen Warrior Room 

ORF Center Director Len Friddle is never satisfied. And I mean that in the best possible way. He and several of his volunteers were not c…

SAIC Donations for Girl Scout's Hometown Heroes 

In 2016, SAIC became a proud sponsor and partner of USO Hampton Roads and Central Virginia (USOHRCV). This support has come in the form of …

Thank you, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast! 

Thank you to the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast for choosing USOHRCV as their charity for cookie season. We love the Girl Scouts and so …

Local Community Commitments to USO Hampton Roads and Central Virginia. 

As 2016 has come to a close and we enter the new year, we would like to acknowledge some of our local community commitments to the USO of H…

The Dunkin' Donuts Adopt-A-Serviceperson Program for Thanksgiving 

The Dunkin’ Donuts Adopt-A-Serviceperson Program for Thanksgiving

USO supports beyond service 

NORFOLK

Zeke our Therapy Dog 

Meet Zeke, our beloved therapy pup! Zeke loves spending the day in our centers and having quality time with our service members. Whether it…