Press release:

USO Northwest and Port of Seattle announce the signing of a long-term lease for a new $1.27 million, 7,000-square-foot USO center opening at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport the summer of 2014. The new center will be more than double the size of the current USO Sea-Tac Center, enabling better service to increasing numbers of local and traveling military personnel, their families and veterans.

With the additional space, the new USO Sea-Tac center will provide greater access to shower facilities, beds, hot meals and snacks, computers and Internet access, a family room, theater room and much more.

“Today’s announcement represents a major milestone and commitment for USO Northwest. We invite local corporations, civic organizations and private donors to show their support for our military and be a part of this historic endeavor,” said Donald Leingang, Executive Director of USO Northwest and retired Commander, U.S. Navy.

“I grew up in a military family and I know firsthand the value of the USO,” said Commission President Tom Albro. “The Port is proud to partner with USO and in a small way give back to those who sacrifice so much for their country.”

The new location in the central terminal building will include $1.27 million from the port for design and construction of a building envelope. The port will spend an additional $1.3 million to upgrade adjacent space for future rental needs as the airport continues to grow.

The USO Northwest center at Sea-Tac has been open 24 hours a day, seven days a week since 1966, and has the highest volume of visitors of any USO airport center in the country. USONW volunteers work around the clock to provide travel assistance and all of the comforts of home to military patrons.

USO Northwest is funded entirely by private donations. Thanks to generous donations from the Boeing Employee’s Community Fund, The Norcliffe Foundation and USONW’s Board of Directors, half of the funds needed to complete construction of the new Sea-Tac center have been raised. USONW needs to raise the remaining funds in the next three months in order to meet a summer 2014 opening.

To make a one-time or recurring monetary or in-kind donation in support of USO and our military, please visit www.usonw.org or call USO Northwest Office Manager Shannon McManus at (206) 246-1908 extension 3.

About USO Northwest
The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. USO Northwest serves more than 540,000 active-duty military and their families annually throughout Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington State. We provide a touch of home through our centers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, our USONW Mobile Canteen RV, and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including military deploying overseas and arriving home, military families, wounded warriors and their families, and the families of the fallen.
USO Northwest is a private, nonprofit organization, not a government agency. We rely on the generosity of our volunteers and donors. In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, USO Northwest is also supported through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-15348). To join us in this patriotic mission, and to learn more about USO Northwest, please visit usonw.org.