Servicemembers in the National Capital Region have an option to get discounted or free tickets to sporting events, theater performances, concerts and other events for themselves and their Families through the USO-Metro Ticketline program.
Tickets for home games to Washington area teams, such as the Redskins, Capitals, Wizards and Nationals, are available through the program, and tickets to venues like the Keegan Theater, Studio Theater, Ford's Theater and Wolf Trap are also available.
"The tickets allow servicemembers to experience things that they would not normally have the means or opportunity to do, such as an NFL game or the National Symphony Orchestra," said Susan Baker, USO-Metro program and administrative coordinator. "Not only do the tickets benefit the recipient but the ability to donate the tickets and know that military members use them gives the donors great joy."
Last year, The USO gave out 28,228 tickets at a total value of $800,324. The program is made possible entirely by the donations of individuals, companies and venues. Season ticket holders for the Redskins, Capitals, Wizards and Nationals donate their tickets to the program, as do season ticket holders at venues like the Kennedy Center and Wolf Trap.
Donations have been received from individuals with airline tickets, too, said Baker.
"We had a person donate a $500 airplane voucher for Alaska Airlines which he wasn't going to be able to use," said Baker. "Whoever got it could use it to fly anywhere Alaska Airlines flies to, so an active-duty servicemember used it to fly to California and visit her Family."
Tickets to sporting events are the most popular since many of the servicemembers who use the tickets say they've never been to a professional sporting event, according to Baker.
Occasionally, the sporting tickets come with a surprise.
"I got a picture and a thank you from a servicemember who went to the Orioles game last weekend," said Baker. "When they got there, the Orioles had this whole thing planned. They got to go on the field and meet some of the players and then go into a suite with food and drink. They just thought they were getting tickets."
Baker is a big fan of the Nationals "Me and A Friend Program" that is designed to help military children between the ages of four and 17 foster friendships.
"Each kid who signs up has to bring a friend and one or two adults can come with them. They're in a special section at the stadium and they get to go down on the field after the game and run the bases," said Baker. "It's nice for Families because if a Family has four kids, and each brings a friend that allows more kids to be able to go."
Tickets are given away through a drawing system servicemembers can access through an email sent from Baker. Servicemembers must register to receive the emails on the usometro.org website. Once they've registered, they will receive an email from Baker that contains a link they must click on to register for the ticket drawing.
When they have filled out the information sheet the link brings up, their names are automatically entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and assigned a number.
A random number generator selects numbers from the spreadsheet to determine the drawing winners.
"We used to do first come first serve, but a lot of the same people were getting tickets over and over again," said Baker. "Now, I send out an email and it will say you have until 9 a.m. tomorrow to register for the drawing. So, more people are able to get tickets now."
It is easier for Soldiers to pick up tickets since the opening of the USO Warrior and Family Center- Fort Belvoir. The new Center's hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week; a far cry from the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday operating hours at the old USO Center on Abbott Road.
"The new hours allow more military members to participate who might not have been able to get into the office to pick up tickets during our old operating hours," said Baker. "It helps more servicemembers take advantage of the program."
For more information on the USO-Metro Ticketline program, contact Susan Baker at ticketline@uso metro.org.
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