FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26th, 2018
USO-NW's Five-Star Gala Sets Fundraising Record, Raising Over $580,000 in Support of  Northwest Service Members and their Families
Renton, WA  - USO Northwest's Five-Star Gala and Auction, held on October 20th, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington, raised more than $580,000, making the event the most successful fundraiser in the organization's 52-year history!  Proceeds from this annual fundraiser will enable USO-NW to expand on its storied mission to provide programs and services developed to meet the needs of America's military service members and their families.
 
This year's Five-Star Gala was presented by Delta Air Lines and La-Z-Boy of Seattle, and was Chaired by Chris Washko, USO-NW Board Member and CEO/Owner of La-Z-Boy of Seattle. Kicking off the event was Alexis Taylor- the 2018 "Female Artist of the Year" at the Tennessee Music Awards - performing a stirring rendition of the National Anthem to the 620 guests in attendance.
 
USO Northwest was honored to salute the 2018 Military Service Members of the Year for the Northwest region: SGT Calvin Miller, Soldier of the Year; GySgt Jeremy Meierotto, Marine of the Year; LS1(AW) William Nicklay, Sailor of the Year; TSgt Gregory M. Jenkins, Airman of the Year; SK3 Layne Washington, Coast Guard Person of the Year; and SrA Richard Delinsky, National Guard Airman of the Year.  In addition to honoring our local military members, USO-NW also presented The Order of Distinguished Service Award to Delta Air Lines.  This award is the highest level of recognition by USO Northwest and is reserved for individuals and organizations having demonstrated exceptional service to military members and their families through sustained support of the USO Northwest.

"We are very fortunate in the Pacific Northwest, as our local corporate and community partners care deeply about America's military members and their families," said Donald M. Leingang, Executive Director of USO Northwest and retired Commander, U.S. Navy. "We greatly appreciate the continued support of our Presenting Sponsors Delta Air Lines and La-Z-Boy of Seattle, as well as The Boeing Company, Tito's Handmade Vodka, America's Credit Union, Alaska Airlines, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Dollar Rent-A-Car ,  GEICO, NECA Puget Sound Chapter, Microsoft, Starbucks and many more." 

As the men and women in uniform continue to answer America's call to service, the USO Northwest remains steadfast, working with our partners, to support our military community.  USO Northwest is grateful to our corporate and community partners, as they are truly the "Force Behind the Forces."

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About USO Northwest
For over 77 years, the USO has strengthened America's military service members by keeping them connected to family and loved ones, throughout their service to the nation. USO Northwest (USO-NW) continues that mission today by serving more than 800,000 service members and their families annually throughout Washington and Oregon. USO-NW operates two travel-based centers at Sea-Tac International Airport and Portland International Airport along with two installation-based centers on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Shali USO Center and Camp Lewis USO Center. Three Mobile USO Canteens expand our service delivery by offering the military and their families the same best-in-class support we provide at stationary centers, but in the field during trainings, pierside for deployments and homecomings, and throughout military and civilian locations in the Pacific Northwest.
 
USO-NW provides support to those who need it most, including morale-boosting and family-strengthening programs, deployment and redeployment support to help servicemen and women adjusting to the duty ahead, resiliency training for families facing multiple deployments, as well as support for families coping with the loss of a family member, Families of the Fallen.
 
USO Northwest is not a government agency, but a private, nonprofit organization that relies solely on private support from individuals, organizations, foundations, corporations and fundraisers to support its activities. USO-NW does not receive government funding. USO Northwest is supported through the Combined Federal Campaign #15348, King County Employee Giving Program #9585, and the WA State Combined Fund Drive #0376776.

Media Contact
Gabriel Bowman
Communications Manager
USO Northwest
P: 360-951-2860

For more information, or to make a tax-deductible contribution to the USO-NW, visit us online at: