When 150,000 people are utilizing and relying on your space to alleviate their travel stress, you need adequate room and facilities. When those people are the country's military and their families, you need it to be better than adequate.

"We have the largest throughput of military family members in the United States and our current space is just too small," explained Don Leingang, retired Navy commander and president of the USO Northwest.

In fact, traffic at the current USO in Sea-Tac Airport has been on the rise since 2007 and even though deployments may be slowing down, the amount of military traveling in and out of the area is supposed to remain steady. There are three Air Mobility Command flights that come through every single week, bringing 200 to 300 people per flight.

"They have been just spilling out into the hallway and there's not enough room," Leingang said. "So we've been working with the Port of Seattle to get more space."

In early July, the Port of Seattle approved a new lease on a larger space and the USO Northwest is now hard at work to raise funds for what they've named "Operation Enduring Support." The campaign will not only raise money for the actual construction, but also set up an endowment for the future.

"We have never done a capital campaign before and the great thing is that we will be able to take care of our facilities for years to come. This also will ensure the USO will occupy this space forever, as we have signed a 20-year lease," he shared.

The new center will be located on the Mezzanine level, one floor above ticketing, in the airport and will feature better food services, sleeping accommodations, showering facilities and even separate family areas and bag storage. The tentative completion date for the renovations and move is the spring of 2014.

While the new space is undoubtedly larger - an actual upgrade from 3,400 square feet to 7,000 square feet - it is a raw area with cement floors, exposed walls and no amenities or furnishings. The projected cost of the new Sea-Tac location, fully outfitted, is $1.75 million; Leingang said that they're striving to raise $1.2 million in the next eight weeks in order to start construction in mid-September.

"The community is going to take care of our troops - that is our philosophy at the USO. So we're out seeking community partners to help us with Operation Enduring Support," he said.

To that end, many have already stepped up and Leingang reported they've raised close to $700,000 so far in sponsorships. Boeing Employee Community Fund donated $335,000 that is earmarked for the lounge, the Norcliffe Foundation contributed $75,000 for a United Through Reading quiet area and the USO Board of Directors, staff and volunteers are planning to collect $200,000 to be used for the kitchen. Opportunities still exist for companies to sponsor other spots in the center, like the common area, café or theatre.

Of course there are also ways for individuals and families to make an impact and help the cause; engraved commemorative bricks are available for sale starting at $250. The bricks will be placed on the Patriot Wall at the entrance of the new center and must be purchased by Jan 31, 2014.

"We've very excited about this and we can't wait to welcome the military and their families into the new space," Leingang said.

To make a donation or learn about other fundraising events currently being planned, visit usonw.org/campaign/seatac.php.