The acronym USO will take on a very different meaning Friday night at the Mount Vernon Baptist Church.

Sure, a jazz ensemble will jam big band tunes, dancers will offer swing lessons and attendees will don flowing skirts, stilettos and bomber jackets reminiscent of the 1940s.

IF YOU GO:

What: Ukraine Salvation for Orphans fund-raiser featuring Chef Andy's barbecue dinner and big band entertainment.

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Fellowship Hall of Mount Vernon Baptist Church, 850 Mount Vernon Highway.

Admission: $15

For more information: Call 404-255-3133.

But on Friday, USO will stand for the Ukraine Salvation for Orphans, a nonprofit group organized by the church's members to help Kiev's street children and orphans, many of whom were abandoned by their parents and now live underneath staircases and in cardboard boxes.

"Regardless of where you are in life, you can't help but be touched by these children," said Sylvia Hennessy. "Very few people know what it's like in some of these eastern European countries and that this even exists."

Hennessy and others will give Friday's crowd a lesson on Children's Hope, the Kiev orphanage where over the years, more than 40 church members have traveled to work with children.

The money raised on Friday will be used to purchase coats, gloves and other necessities for Kiev's street children.

Ten church members will deliver the gifts to Children's Hope and other area orphanages around Jan. 7 - Christmas Day in Ukraine.

"It's a celebration with a mission behind it," Hennessy said.