United States Marine Corps

Press Release
Public Affairs Office
United Services Organization-Metropolitan Washington
slevine@adviceunlimited.net
Sandy Levine
Contact: 301-924-0330

Release # 0401-03-0859

Operation USO Care Package Enables Citizens to Show Their Support for Troops Overseas
April 01, 2003

WASHINGTON -- With thousands of U.S. troops deployed around the world, engaed in the fight against terrorism, the United Service Organizations (USO) is offering a unique way for individuals and corporations to let our nation's defenders know we haven't forgotten them. 'Operation USO Care Package', sponsored by the USO World Headquarters and administered by the USO of Metropolitan Washington (USO-Metro), enables individuals to write a personal message and financially support care packages that will be delivered to service members participating in Operation Enduring Freedom.

The United Service Organizations (USO) has created this care package program to boost morale among troops participating in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. These care packages contain an assortment of items our military have specifically requested, such as prepaid international calling cards, disposable cameras, toiletries, and sunscreen. They also include greetings from the American public, transcribed by hand, onto official Operation USO Care Package post cards by USO volunteers. USO volunteers give these care packages to departing troops at airports.

Because of heightened security, individuals can no longer send letters and packages to the 'Any Service Member' postal mail program. As a result,the USO has entered to help through Operation USO Care Package. The program is approved by the Department of Defense and provides a safe, easy way for individuals and corporations to show their prayers and thoughts are with our men and women in uniform.

Response to this program has been outstanding, inspiring the use of many different ways for individuals and corporations to show their support. You can visit the website at http://www.USOCARES.org and sponsor a package directly online, using your credit card or call 1-866-USO-GIVE for more information.

Individuals can make a donation of $25 toward one Operation USO Care Package for a deployed service member. The check should be made payable to USO-OUCP. Individuals should include their greetings to a service member with their checks. USO volunteers will transfer these messages onto an official Operation USO Care Package post card. A care package including these messages of support will be distributed to a service member supporting the war on terrorism and the war to liberate Iraq. Online donations are welcome at the USO Cares website, http://www.usocares.org as well.

If sending a greeting or payment by mail, please use the following address:

USO-Operation USO Care Package
c/o Pentagon Federal Credit Union
PO Box 19221
Alexandria, VA 22320-9998

Corporations may also contribute to this program through financial contributions, items donated in bulk for the care packages, or through implementation of an employee participation program. AT&T is a major supporter of this program, providing a complimentary toll free number for individuals to call for further information (1-866-USO-GIVE), serving as host for the website (www.USOCARES.org), and donating thousands of prepaid international phone cards to be included in the packages for the troops. "Our men and women in uniform give so much to the country, we wanted to give something in return as a token of our appreciation that would allow their separation from their loved ones to be a little easier", according to Paul McQuillan, Defense Sales Vice President, AT&T Government Solutions.

"These Care Packages help the USO bring a touch of home to our men and women in uniform", said Edward A. Powell, President and CEO of USO World Headquarters. The care packages contain an assortment of items the military have specifically requested, such as prepaid international calling cards, disposable cameras, toiletries, and sunscreen. They also include greetings from the American public, transcribed onto official 'Operation USO Care Package' post cards by volunteers and USO staff members.

"Operation USO Care Package will continue for as long as our country is at war", according to Elaine Rogers, USO-Metro President. "This program is possible because of the support from individuals, corporations and organizations that donate funds to sponsor these care packages".



QUICK FACTS:
· Since 9/11, individuals can no longer send packages or letters 'to any soldier', because of security concerns. Operation USO Care Package is a DoD-approved, secure way to send personal messages to our troops deployed overseas.

· All of the $25.00 donated for sponsorship of the USO Care Package goes directly and specifically to Operation USO Care Package, a program sponsored by USO World and managed by USO of Metropolitan Washington.

· To date, over 30,000 USO Care Packages have been provided to U.S. service members deploying for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

· Major corporations have shown outstanding support for this program: AT&T Government Solutions hosts the website and provides the free 800 number; AOL Time Warner has initiated a program so its members can easily support Operation USO Care Package, through AOL keyword: writethetroops; Pentagon Federal Credit Union is providing the lockbox for Care Package sponsorships.

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Text-only version of release attached below:


Care Package Contents.doc