Since arriving on the scene, Kellie Pickler has always been dedicated to helping the USO. She has been all over the world bringing a little bit of home to the men and women serving in our military since her first USO tour in 2007.

Now in honor of the 80th anniversary of the United Service Organizations. Kellie, along with actor Wilmer Valderrama, has been named a USO Global Ambassador with the mission to help lead the effort for Americans to give more than thanks to the military community.

Kellie says, “I am honored to join the USO as a Global Ambassador for their 80th anniversary of supporting America’s military and especially this campaign encouraging all Americans to give more than thanks,” Kellie adds, “The USO has allowed me so many opportunities to serve those who serve us, and this is another way I can help shine a light on something that matters…supporting our servicemen, servicewomen, their families and letting them know we don’t take what they do for granted.”

As USO Global Ambassadors Kellie and Wilmer will support the organization’s Give More Than Thanks initiative – a campaign encouraging all Americans to find actionable ways to express their gratitude for the service and sacrifice of our troops and their families.

J.D. Crouch II, USO CEO and president says of Kellie and Wilmer, “We are honored to have these two longtime advocates come on board as USO Global Ambassadors. Kellie and Wilmer have seen, firsthand, the importance of the USO mission and the impact it can have when we express the nation’s gratitude to our Armed Forces. We hope their continued support will invite more Americans to join them to honor the sacrifice and service of service members and their families.”

Since her first USO tour to Iraq in 2007, Kellie has now completed 11 additional tours to Afghanistan, Germany, Kosovo, United Kingdom, Kuwait, Bahrain, Kyrgyzstan, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Norway; a ship at sea; and three domestic locations. On her 12 tours, Kellie has participated in five annual USO Holiday Tours with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Kellie’s not the only one in her family contributing — her husband Kyle Jacobs has joined her in participating in a USO Military Virtual Programming (MVP) session which was broadcast to 34 locations in the United States, Qatar, Guam and Japan.

Kellie has been previously honor for her work with the USO as she is a recipient of the Department of Defense Spirit of Hope Award, Operation Troop Aid Chris Kyle Patriot Award and USO of North Carolina’s Heart for the Warrior Award.

To join Kellie Pickler and Wilmer Valderrama in this important mission and learn more about the USO, please visit USO.org

Headline Photo Credit: Robby Klein

Additional Image Courtesy of the USO