ARLINGTON, Va., March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The Colorado Beef Council and the USO have again partnered on the "Operation BEEF UP Our Troops" campaign to supply high-quality U.S. beef jerky to troops overseas. More than $215,000 has been raised since the promotion launched in Nov. 2004.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031119/USO )

One of the items most requested by troops, beef jerky will continue to be included in Operation USO Care Packages distributed by the USO to service members in Iraq, Afghanistan and other overseas locations.

The campaign provides America's farming and ranching families the opportunity to say "thank you" to our men and women in uniform by making a monetary donation. Other individuals who want to show their support also are encouraged to donate to the program. Donations can be made by calling the USO's toll-free number at (877) USO-GIVE or logging onto http://www.usobeefjerky.com/. In addition, donations can be mailed, noting "beef jerky" in the check memo, to: "BEEF UP Our Troops," "Operation USO Care Package," P.O. Box 8069, Topeka, KS 66608.

For individuals who donate by phone or mail, Beef Jerky will include this message: "Donated by America's farming and ranching families. We thank you for your service to our country. Our thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you." Individuals who donate online can create a personal message of support that will be placed in the care packages.

The Colorado Beef Council has made its own monetary donation and will be working to help the USO to reach as many cattle producers as possible so all producers can have the opportunity to donate. The Colorado Beef Council also is writing letters to all state beef councils and state cattlemen's organizations, asking for their financial support of this program. For more information on "Operation BEEF UP Our Troops" or to download a form for mail- in donations, go to http://www.cobeef.com/.

About the Colorado Beef Council: The Colorado Beef Council (CBC) is a Colorado government authority charged with the promotion and marketing of beef and beef products in Colorado. The beef check-off program, a $1 per head assessment on the sale of cattle, funds the activities of CBC. The CBC uses beef check-off dollars to increase beef demand through programs of promotion, research and education. An eight-member board of cattlemen and women, representing the state's 15,000 beef producers, directs the organization.

About the USO: For 65 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The USO is supported by World Partners AT&T Corporation, BAE SYSTEMS, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Military Channel, S & K Sales Company and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC- 0600), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO. For more information on the USO, please visit our Web site at http://www.uso.org/.

  Contact:
  Donna St. John, (703) 908-6458,
  dstjohn@uso.org

SOURCE: USO

CONTACT: Donna St. John of USO, +1-703-908-6458, or dstjohn@uso.org

Web site: http://www.uso.org/
http://www.cobeef.com/
http://www.usobeefjerky.com/