USO — MomStart

Sends Some Cheer Cheerios® and the USO #MyBlogSpark

I love working with MyBlogSpark because I love General Mills and their products. You can just look through my archives to know it’s true. It feels like forever since I’ve worked with them and this time we’re bringing you a bit more charity. This is something that’s really easy to do with Cheerios for the USO. Send some Cheer, Cheerios Cheer.

When our troops are called to serve, their families must rise to meet the challenges of service as well. To thank them, Cheerios^® and the USO have partnered in a postcard campaign that spreads Cheer directly to these honorable military families and supports USO programs.

Here´s how it works:

Now through November, 2011 at your local grocer, specially-marked boxes of Cheerios cereal will feature Cheer postcards on the front of the box. Consumers can simply cut out the postcard from the Cheerios logo, write a message of thanks on the back, add a stamp and mail the pre-addressed card to the USO. The USO will deliver the Cheer card to military families across the country.

For each postcard received through November 2012, Cheerios will make a $1 donation to the USO to help fund programs that support military families.

To kick off the campaign, Cheerios has already donated $150,000 to the USO and will donate up to an additional $100,000 based upon the number of postcards received from specially marked boxes now through November 30th, 2012.

Sending a "Cheer" postcard is a simple way to say thanks and lift the spirits of our country´s military families. So, take a moment out of your day to spread some Cheer and send a message of thanks!

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winner, Coriander Warren.

All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

"Disclosure: Cheerios cereal, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark."

Season of Giving Day 12 USO United Service Organizations

By Summer,

Many people have heard of the USO, the United Service Organization. I’d say mainly because of the entertainers that help boost the morale of the troops serving overseas. I can’t help thinking of Bob Hope when I think about the USO. The USO is more than entertainment though, it’s morale. “Until Every One Comes Home”®

USO 70 Years Donations to the USO help bring home closer to the troops who are making the sacrifice of serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other forward operating bases around the world. From the USO, troops can expect serves such from entertainment tours to free phone cards to care packages full of much needed items.

Here is an example of items in a USO “Winter Box” care package given to troops thanks to financial support:

· Snowflake decorations and holiday lights
· Seasonal greeting cards
· Holiday CDs and DVDs
· Popcorn and other holiday treats and candy
· Hand and feet warmers
· Holiday-scented air fresheners
· New Year’s decorations

Other USO programs needing financial support include Families of the Fallen Support, MEGS, Mobile USO, Operation Speak Easy, Operation USO Care Package, Pro vs. GI Joe, Sesame Street Workshop, United Through Reading Military Program, USO in a Box, USO Operation Phone Home, USO Photo Book, USO Wounded Warriors, USO2GO, With You All the Way, USO Holiday Boxes, and other services.

The USO isn’t only in places you can’t see; there is a USO section in my local airport, Seattle-Tacoma (SEA), sponsored by the Puget Sound Area USO chapter . In each USO area there is a place to relax –not just with seating but sometimes beds in a sleeping section too, ways to connect with family and friends around the world via internet or phone, food – some have meals and some with snacks – and beverages. Some USO centers offer childcare, showers and personal toiletries, language classes, tours, entertainment areas – lounges, TVs, DVDs, video gaming and WIFI, and other programs and services depending upon the center.

Other ways to support our troops and the USO is to “Like” the USO on Facebook, follow the USO on Twitter, and keep up with the USO on YouTube.

All photos and logos belong to USO.

About Summer:

Summer is very active in our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living while cooking up a storm.