March 5, 2013 > Merrill Gardens presents check to USO Merrill Gardens presents check to USO Merrill Gardens has partnered with the USO to raise funds to support their programs for the past three years. Since that time the company has raised a total of $166,000 to support USO activities. Many of the senior residents living at Merrill Gardens communities have fond memories of the USO from their days in the military. For the past 69 years, the USO has been the bridge between the American public and the U.S. military, delivering comfort, morale and recreational services to our troops. The USO is a congressionally chartered, private, nonprofit organization that relies on the generosity of individuals and corporations to support USO activities. Merrill Gardens at Fremont presented a check for $10,236.33 to the USO Northern California Chapter on February 27. This money was raised during Merrill Gardens annual companywide Support Our Troops Week with each of the 56 Merrill Gardens communities across the country hosting a fundraiser for the USO. Merrill Gardens donated all food and labor costs and a total of $66,000 was raised for the USO this year.