Member of
Dear American seafarers:
You may recall the first time you stepped into a USS center in a foreign port. If not, certainly many of your shipmates do. A safe haven, a friendly face, a telephone to call home, money orders so you can transfer funds, a deliciously prepared meal, a gift shop with affordable items, a friend when you need one most— a place to call home away from home.
Since 1942, United Seamen's Service (USS) has prided itself on the programs and services offered to promote the welfare and help American and allied seafarers like you. Today, USS needs your help. Dwindling financial resources makes USS increasingly unsustainable. Survival will depend on the agency's ability and flexibility to continue partnerships with seafarers to build relationships and seek support in the maritime industry – unions, carriers, government, military and veteran mariners.
The origin of the USS coincides with the United States involvement in World War II. The military had the USO and military clubs. It was necessary, to provide a facility for those American seafarers who traveled into harm's way to carry troops and supplies throughout the world and President Franklin Roosevelt was at the forefront of the effort by the maritime unions and management to establish the USS.
USS has continued over the years to provide services to American seafarers to help alleviate the hardships experienced during the Korean, Vietnamese and Persian Gulf conflicts. Today, American mariners are again engaged in maintaining the critical flow of supplies to U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and the network of USS centers are there to support them. USS affiliate, the American Merchant Marine Library Association, continues to provide libraries to U.S. flag vessels, and especially to the ships of the Ready Reserve Fleet, to ensure that our mariners have quality reading material while at sea.
The survival of USS in an industry that has been through radical change over the last 65 years demonstrates the continuing need for the vital support of seafarers. Those of us in the maritime industry understand the challenge: international unrest keeping military ships at sea rather than on shore; higher food, beverage and labor costs not easily passed on to seafarers visiting our centers; unstable currency exchange rates; extremely `high insurance premiums at our centers in the Pacific due to storms and threat of earthquake; the total loss of our headquarters office in the World Trade Center on 9/11; among other issues. It is imperative that we support the American seafarers across the globe, who overcome adversity and proudly carry our world
commerce and serve America in times of crises.
You know by personal experience the value of our programs and services. Your tax-deductible donation will assist USS in supporting American seafarers; the heart of maritime. Thank you for your consideration of this worthy cause. As we said in our Historic 1940's campaign, “That's Our Outfit! Let's Keep It Going!” You may contact USS at 635 Fourth Avenue , Ground Floor, Brooklyn , NY 11232 , telephone (212) 269 0711, email: ussammla@ix.netcom.com.
Let's keep USS going today.
Sincerely,
Talmage E. Simpkins Roger T. Korner
President Executive Director
Seafarers themselves contribute to the support of USS centers. USS's annual fundraising event, the Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) award dinner in New York City, provides funds for center operations and many special projects. USS also receives support from the Combined Federal Campaign, maritime organizations, shipping companies, labor groups like the International Transport Workers Federation, and the general public.
Your support helps USS to provide for the needs of merchant mariners of all nations:
HOW USS DOLLARS ARE SPENT
Member of
International Committee on Seafarers' Welfare
Global Impact, Combined Federal Campaign (CFC Donor Number 0366)
UNITED SEAMEN'S SERVICE 635 Fourth Ave., Ground Floor Brooklyn, NY 11232 Tel.# (718) 369-3818 E-Mail: ussammla@ix.netcom.com Home Page