Event:             Bass Pro Shops and the USO “Reel In Support for the Troops”

Program:         Hundreds of volunteers will be stuffing USO Care Packages for troops serving in the war on terrorism. Goal is to stuff 10,000 care packages.

Date/Time:     Saturday, April 10, 2004

9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Location:        Embassy Suites Outdoor World Grand Ballroom

2401 Bass Pro Drive, Grapevine, TX  76051

Hosts:             The USO, Embassy Suites Outdoor World, Bass Pro Shops

Contact:          Lisa Frederick, USO of Metropolitan Washington, (703) 696-3278

                        Rachel Rickman, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, (972) 691-5217

Background information:

On Saturday April 10, volunteers from Bass Pro Shops, American Airlines, Lockheed Martin, VFW, FedEx, and the DFW Ambassadors will gather at the Embassy Suites Outdoor World Grand Ballroom in Grapevine, Texas. The mission is to assemble as many Operation USO Care Packages as possible, and the goal is to stuff 10,000 care packages in one day.  The USO will then arrange for the care packages to be sent to our servicemen and women overseas, and a portion of the bags will be distributed at Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport to troops deploying to the war on terrorism. 

Bass Pro Shops have supported Operation USO Care Package since November of last year, when they began offering $1 and $5 donation cards in their stores.  Patrons can make a donation to Operation USO Care Package by purchasing these cards, and they may also sign the cards with personal greetings to the troops.  Bass Pro Shops have also arranged for donations to be made through their website (www.basspro.com) or by calling 1-800-BASSPRO.  Through this program, Bass Pro Shops have raised $283,000 for Operation USO Care Package.

“We are excited to be an official partner with the USO on such a meaningful program and patriotic endeavor as Operation Bass Pro Shops/USO Care Package,” said Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris.  “If we can, in some small way, offer a sense of comfort and home to our heroes, then we’ve provided a great service of which we are proud.”

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.  “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, and can be sponsored by individuals for $25. To sponsor a care package, individuals can visit www.USOcares.org or call 1-866-USO GIVE.

Big Bucks Brewery and Steakhouse will donate lunch for all of the volunteers.

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