AFFF and USO Jacksonville unite for $50K major center overhaul
USO JACKSONVILLE MAYPORT CENTER
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – Apr. 30, 2019
The Armed Forces Families Foundation and the Greater Jacksonville Area USO hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday at the Mayport USO Center to celebrate the completion of Phase One of an ongoing, extensive renovation plan, further demonstrating their commitment to serving military service members and their families.
AFFF contributed a total of $47,750 in 2018 to fund critical capital projects and facilities renovations at the Mayport USO Center, one of four USO Centers serving more than 30,000 active duty military service members, tens of thousands of military retirees, and their families in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. The Greater Jacksonville also serves the needs of 1,800 Coast Guard personnel serving Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville and 7,000 members of the Florida National Guard.
“We are thrilled to partner with the USO in Jacksonville and help provide these needed renovations,” said John Wright, an AFFF board member. “This project wouldn’t be possible without the support of the community and our generous sponsors, Taco Bell and IHOP.”
Over $11,000 was used to replace a 7.5-ton commercial indoor air conditioner that was the last of the building’s original AC equipment from 1989. In addition, $27,000 was used to renovate both the men’s and women’s bathrooms that were also “original equipment” and in dire need of renovation. The remaining funds were used for replacement flooring in office and computer lounge areas along with miscellaneous painting and professional cleaning of our kitchen and TV / video lounge.
“The Greater Jacksonville Area USO is committed to help strengthen our service members and their families by taking seriously our pledge to truly be their home away from home,” said Mike O’Brien, President and CEO of the Greater Jacksonville Area USO. “These renovations will not only allow our service members and their families to take in the comforts of home while visiting our Mayport Center, but it confirms our commitment to show, in a tangible way, that we appreciate their service.”
Since its inception in 1989, USO Mayport provides “home-away-from-home” services for thousands of active duty, reservists and National Guardsmen every month to include movie rooms, food, computer use and children’s play areas. Additionally, the Mayport USO serves over 7,500 service members and their families through the bi-weekly “No Dough” Dinner program where an average of 350 meals are served every other Monday, as well as hosting dozens of family support groups, programs for transitioning service members, and many other programs.
The completion of the project will allow the staff at the USO to continue to provide these valuable services to America’s heroes transiting through the Jacksonville area.
To learn more about the Armed Forces Families Foundation or to help fund other projects that help military members and their families, please visit www.armedforcesfamilies.org.
