The United Service Organizations returned to the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel for the seventh year on Thursday for its annual gala honoring current servicemen and -women in each of the five branches of the military. The 1,100-person gala exceeded last year’s fund-raising total of $1.72 million by 10 percent, setting a record for the organization, according to president Sloan Gibson.
Unlike galas in which additional fund-raising happens on site via live or silent auctions, the U.S.O. events rely on pre-event efforts for its funds, due to stricter military ethics protocols and rules. “If there is fund-raising on site at an event, it precludes some of the military persons [planners want] from being able to attend, so we will never do an auction on site to ensure we have as much military and congressional presence in the room as possible,” said Stacey Hacker Gilpin, the director of special events and projects for the U.S.O.
Gilpin noted the return of top sponsor TriWest Healthcare at the $250,000 level—where it has remained for the last seven years—and new sponsors like USA Today and Huntington Ingles Industries signing on for donations of $125,000 and $75,000, respectively. Returning sponsor Procter & Gamble also increased its donation this year to the $150,000 Vice Chairman level.
The night’s general and V.I.P. receptions took place at the same time, the latter of which had a reduced invite list from 350 last year to about 180 on Thursday, to provide more photo opportunities and intimate conversation with the military and Congressional attendees. Comedian Carlos Mencia served as master of ceremonies, introducing speakers like Gibson; Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and N.B.A. All-Star Karl Malone, who introduced the video tribute to the United States Olympic Committee's Warrior Games.
Country singer and former U.S.O. tour participant Randy Travis performed two songs before dinner. Throughout the program, high-ranking officers from each branch of the military presented the night’s honors for Service Members of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Spirit of the U.S.O. Military.com streamed the event live on its Web site so those servicemen and -women abroad could take part in the night.
