USO Schofield Celebrates Military Member's Birthdays

USO Schofield and other USO Hawaii centers are very active in bringing birthday joy to numerous service members in the Schofield Barracks area through the Operation Birthday Cake (OBC) program.

On average, USO Schofield facilitates two Operation Birthday Cake programs a week to active-duty personnel stationed on Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield, and Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Stations (NCTAMS). This program allows families from across the ocean to have the opportunity to wish their single or unaccompanied military members a happy birthday by filling out a form for a surprise delivery executed by the USO staff members or volunteers. The impact of this program is heartfelt. We encounter amazed recipients filled with happiness and grateful responses given by their family members who cannot be there to celebrate. The USO staff and volunteers strive to make each delivery personal and report back to the family at home by sending a picture(s) and video(s). This program allows families to connect and bring comfort, especially to the mothers, who are often experiencing separation from their young adult children for the first time. Families are overjoyed knowing that someone is there to ensure their loved one receives recognition on their birthday. One parent let the USO staff know how much it meant that we could be there in her place, as she worried for her child and missed him terribly. Her gratitude went so far that she promised to come to the USO on her next visit to Hawaii and thank the USO staff in person!

To find out how you can request a birthday surprise for your single or unaccompanied military member stationed in Hawaii, please visit https://hawaii.uso.org/programs/operation-birthday-cake.