Donors Sought for 'Gift of Groceries' Program for Military Families

DoD - American Forces Press Service ^ | Nov. 3, 2003 | Donna Miles

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Donors Sought for 'Gift of Groceries' Program for Military Families

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2003--With the holiday season right around the corner, officials at the Defense Commissary Agency are encouraging the American public to show its support for U.S. service members through its highly successful "Gift of Groceries" program.

The program, which enables anyone to purchase and donate gift certificates good at all 280 military commissaries worldwide, reached the $1 million mark just six months after its launch in September 2002, according to Kaye Kennedy, the agency's corporate communications chief. Now that figure has climbed even higher, with $1.6 million in gift certificates purchased through the program.

Jean Villerreal, DeCA's gift certificate program manager, said the program "has really exceeded all our expectations as customers, industry and military charities embrace the service."

Kennedy attributes the program's success to the fact that it gives friends, family and the public an opportunity to show their support for military families. Donors can present the gift certificates to military families directly or send them to a local military relief organization. They can also elect to donate them to one of the three nonprofit organizations supporting the program: the Air Force Aid Society, the USO and the Fisher House Foundation.

"Our priority is to get these gift certificates to the families of service members wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom," said Jim Weiskopf of the Fisher House Foundation. He said families staying in Fisher Houses at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, and the National Naval Medical Center in nearby Bethesda, Md., while their wounded family members undergo medical care are already benefiting from the program.

Military chaplains' funds purchased more than $500,000 in gift certificates for the 2002 holiday season.

Civilian organizations are jumping on board as well. One regional family- support effort near San Diego netted$50,000 in donated gift certificates last spring. In addition, employees of large defense contractor location in Dallas donated $25,000 in gift certificates for military families.

And now with the holidays approaching, officials are hopeful that the public's generosity will continue.

The Gift of Groceries program operates through a business agreement with CertifiChecks Inc., at no cost to the Defense Commissary Agency or the federal government, Kennedy said. Only authorized commissary shoppers can redeem the gift certificates.

To buy purchase commissary gift certificates, visit www.commissaries.com or call the toll- free 1-877-770-GIFT. The certificates are not sold in commissaries, Kennedy said.

A standard charge of $4.95, paid by the purchaser, covers the cost of handling, printing and mailing. Additional charges may apply for large orders or special delivery, but installation charities can apply for a waiver by checking with their local commissary.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

The program...enables anyone to purchase and donate gift certificates good at all 280 military commissaries worldwide......Donors can present the gift certificates to military families directly or send them to a local military relief organization.

~~~
Giving thanks to the troops, ping!
~~~

If you want on or off my Pro-Coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days. (Most days are good days).

[niteowl77]

Mrs. edskid belongs to a womens' organization that recently collected for the families of guard/reserve troops who have been activated. The extension of tours has hit some of them harder than others, and this is a good way to help out.

[sistergoldenhair]

Think about it.

[Miss Marple]

Bumping a darn good cause!

[GO65]

FYI - uso.org is also running a program whereby you can send care packages to the troops. Eight care packages is only $200.

[Prime Choice]

Support our Troops BUMP! Thanks!!

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[TruthNtegrity]

Donation made and bumped!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Help Military Families PING

Ragtime Cowgirl : Thanks for posting this AND for all your pro military efforts.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"uso.org is also running a program whereby you can send care packages to the troops."

“Operation USO Care Package”
Delivers Needed Items and Personal Messages to
Service Members Deployed Overseas
You, Too, Can Show a Service Member You Care

With thousands of U.S. troops deployed around the world, still actively engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom and 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.

Because of heightened security, individuals can no longer send letters and packages to 'Any Service Member.' Operation USO Care Package is approved by the Department of Defense, providing a safe, easy way for individuals and corporations to show their prayers and thoughts are with our men and women in uniform.

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) 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.”

Individuals and corporations can learn more about how to get involved and support “Operation USO Care Package” through donations of product or funds, by calling 866-USO-GIVE.

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT OPERATION USO CARE PACKAGE?

• Individuals may donate $25, which goes toward sponsorship of an “Operation USO Care Package.” Personal greetings may be forwarded to our post office box with the contribution. USO will transcribe the message onto an official “Operation USO Care Package” postcard, available for preview here.
• Corporations may make a tax-deductible financial donation to support “Operation USO Care Package.” A $25 donation goes toward sponsorship of one care package. Each care package will recognize corporate sponsors.
• Corporations may donate items listed on the “Service Members’ Wish List” to USO-Metro, many of which may be branded with your corporate logo. These items must be sent in bulk from the manufacturer. Please call (703) 696-2628 for advance coordination of deliveries.
• Corporations may delegate an employee to serve as its “Operation USO Care Package” liaison. The liaison will communicate your corporate involvement and enlist employees to participate. Employee participants could sponsor an individual care package, which would include their personal message. Corporations interested in participating in this option or willing to match their employees’ support should call (703) 696-2628 for further information.

Please send all checks and personal greetings for “Operation USO Care Package” to:
USO-Operation USO Care Package
C/O Pentagon Federal Credit Union
P.O. Box 19221
Alexandria, VA 22320-9998

Due to the threat of anthrax following September 11, DoD suspended its practice of forwarding personal care packages and correspondence by the American public to “Any Service Member.” In its place, USO created a care package program. Through sponsorship of an “Operation USO Care Package,” an individual’s personal greeting will be transcribed onto an official postcard and included in the care package going to a service member.

MAKE YOUR DONATION NOW!

SERVICE MEMBERS' WISH LIST
Travel Size Personal Items*	Miscellaneous Items*
Disposable Razors	Playing Cards and Board Games
Toothbrushes	Compact Discs
Toothpaste	Current Movies on DVD
Tissues	Crossword Puzzle Books
Shampoo/Conditioner	Disposable Cameras
Shower Gel	Pre-paid Global Calling Cards
Sunscreen	Stationery and Journals
Baby Wipes	Sunglasses
Hand Lotion	Small Footballs, Softballs
Lip Balm	CD/DVD Cases with Zipper
Cotton Swabs	Individually Wrapped Snack Items
Sewing Kits	Shoe Polish Kits
*Many of these items may be imprinted with your corporate logo and /or the USO logo.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Back at ya!

[Mo1]

Thanks for the ping Tonk .. this is a great idea

God Bless our Troops ..

[Soaring Feather]

bump to the top

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

More E-mail and/or send packages to the troops info here.

[bjcintennessee]

Will call tomorrow. Thanks for posting this.

[GO65]

thanks, I sent them $250 today. $200 for care packages, $50 for the general fund.

[Pylon]

The people defending and giving their life for our country can't always afford to eat, and yet people like Jlo and Ben have more than they know what to do with.

I wish America could spend the money on what really is important.

[DLfromthedesert]

Thank you; this will definitely be on my Christmas list.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

This is EXCELLENT!! Thanks! Will pass around via e-mail too.