Steadfastness and adaptability characterize the mission of the USO Northwest.

The United Service Organizations is a private, nonprofit enterprise that supports servicemembers and their families through the Combined Federal Campaign, or CFC.

Supporting America's troops is the USO's primary mission.  Over the past 49 years, the organization has evolved, developing new programs and services to meet the ever-changing needs of soldiers and their families.

"The key to the USO's enduring success is our ability to adapt to a constantly changing environment," wrote Tim Bogle, the USO Northwest's director of development and marketing.

"From the moment new service members join the military, through numerous deployments, and even as they transition out of the military, the USO is there - steadfast, dependable and grateful."

The Department of Defense estimates a total of one million servicemembers will transition out of the military over the next four years.

USO Northwest recognizes this and the challenges local servicemembers may face.  One way it accomplishes this is through its unique Helping Hands Program.

A first in the Nation, the program was established to support local military members and their families with small grant awards to offset the cost of food, drink, decorations and other items for pre-deployment, homecoming, holiday and family day celebrations.

"Our Helping Hands Program provides our troops with a well-deserved opportunity to spend valuable time together with their families as a unit," continued Bogle.

Last year the program served more than 89,000 servicemembers and their families.

CFC contributions play a key role in the success of programs like Helping Hands.

"One hundred percent of CFC funds received by the USO Northwest go to supporting the military and their families through our Helping Hands Program," stressed Bogle.

"There are no administrative costs."

In 2014, federal civilian, military and postal employees in the Northwest pledged almost $1.2 million through the CFC.

"The USO Northwest has remained steadfast in its support of our military and their families, and no other organization has done more to earn the trust of our troops and military families."

USO Northwest's CFC donation number is 15348.

For more information, visit www.usonw.org.