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USO Northwest tells lawmakers it serves roughly 200,000 service members annually across three states
Summary
USO Northwest representatives Don Langang and Jeff Keller described mobile centers, MEPS support, volunteer partnerships and community events that assist active duty, Guard, reserve, retirees and military families; Portland MEPS processes about 1,200–1,500 recruits monthly.
Don Langang and Jeff Keller presented an overview of USO Northwest programs to the committee on Jan. 14, describing volunteer‑driven centers, mobile vehicles, and partnerships that provide services to military service members and families across Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
Langang said the USO focuses on active duty, Guard, Reserve, retirees and military families and noted the organization’s presence at military installations, airports, ships and MEPS centers. "We help or assist over 200,000 military every year here just in our 3 states," he said.
Jeff Keller described the Portland Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) and said the center processes between 1,200 and 1,500 recruits per month. He highlighted the USO’s mobile canteen and trailer that travel to homecomings, deployments and community events; partnerships with Safeway and Les Schwab that provide in‑kind donations and volunteers; and recurring programs such as family holiday events, meal giveaways and Coffee Connections for military spouses.
The committee thanked the presenters and discussed volunteer opportunities; USO staff said they aim to remain strictly nonpartisan while focusing on services to military members and families.
No formal committee action followed the briefing.
