The USO is a private, congressionally chartered, nonprofit organization that relies on the generosity of the American people to support its volunteered activities. Since before World War II, the USO has been the bridge between the American public and the U.S. military. Through peace and war, the USO has consistently delivered special comfort, a strong morale and recreational services to the U.S.military.
In August this year, USO volunteer, Karen Cirrito-Centofanti, contacted Fort Western Stores, Nebraska’s largest Western wear outfitters located in Lincoln and Nebraska City, NE, requesting a special donation to be presented to Toby Keith at his September 4, 2009, Darien Lake, NY concert. Fort Western Stores was delighted to donate a “God Bless America” sculpture which features a cowboy riding a horse carrying the American Flag.
"The evening with Toby Keith was amazing. Toby was extremely touched and in awe of the sculpture,” said Karen Cirrito-Centofanti, USO volunteer.
”He goes into the red zones of combat to perform for our soldiers and a few times had to take cover in bunkers while rounds of gun shots and bombs rang over his head. I think it is so courageous of him; he has done it now for 7 or 8 years straight, “said Karen Cirrito-Centofanti, USO volunteer, “… so, every year at each one of his concert venues, his fan club members who are known as Toby's Warriors hold fundraisers, mainly for his charity, Ally's House, a home for children with cancer that he founded.”
Back in April, Toby Keith was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in Washington DC by the Military Officers Association of America for his on-going dedication to the USO and related charities.
"I can’t believe I won this shopping spree. Don’t know 
Since 1998 the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska has been holding an annual event to raise money for health care research. This year's theme was "Give Cancer the Boot" which highlighted their "Famous Boots" auction where organizers gather donations of new and worn boots, autographed by local and national celebrities, to be auctioned during the event.When the Cattlemen’s Ball contacted the Fort Western about donating a pair of boots, they were more than happy to oblige. And, although they could have pulled any ol' pair of boots off the shelf, they gathered together a team of boot experts and custom designed two pairs of one-of-a-kind Nebraska Husker Boots, one ladies’ size 8 and one men’s size 10 1/2.
To add even more appeal to their custom crafted boot donation, the Fort teamed up with Patrick Combs, “The Voice of Memorial Stadium” and Froggy 98, country music radio station, to invite the University of Nebraska's Athletic Director Tom Osborne, Football Coach Bo Pelini, Volleyball Coach John Cook, Men’s Basketball Coach Doc Sadler, Women’s Basketball Coach Connie Yori and Baseball Coach Mike Anderson to autograph the boots.
The autographed red and cream colored boots pictured above are the ultimate Husker Fan collector's item. Husker fans placed their bids, with the highest bid of $600 winning the men's pair and the highest bid of $1000 taking home the ladies' pair.
