Causecast

The USO will partner with Northrop Grumman Corporation for an Operation USO Care Package Stuffing Party on Nov. 15 in Buffalo, N.Y. The care packages will be shipped to troops serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and overseas locations. This marks Northrop Grumman’s fourth care package stuffing party sponsorship this year.

“The USO thanks Northrop Grumman for their continued support of America’s service members,” said USO president Sloan Gibson. “Their company-wide involvement in the Operation USO Care Package program helps us deliver many comforts of home to thousands of troops overseas.”

“We at Northrop Grumman’s Amherst Systems business unit are very proud to partner with the USO to support the men and women of our Armed Forces who are serving our country” says John Stanfill, Site Manager, Amherst Systems. “Our participation in the Operation USO Care Package program is just one small way to bring a touch of home and show our heart-felt thanks to our service members on duty overseas,” Stanfill said.

The “Northrop Grumman Cares for the Troops” campaign extends the company’s corporate support to a personal level by encouraging employees to donate and assemble care packages during stuffing parties. Since 2004, Northrop Grumman corporate employees have “stuffed” more than 100,000 packages and raised nearly $300,000 for the program. Last week, 180 Northrop Grumman Long Island employee volunteers assembled more than 11,000 care packages.

Since its inception in 2003, the Operation USO Care Package program has distributed more than 1.4 million care packages to service members. Prior to 2001, Americans could send unsolicited letters and care packages to deployed troops. However, due to heightened security concerns, the Department of Defense no longer allows this type of donation. That’s where the Operation USO Care Package program comes in, as it provides a way for the public to sponsor care packages for deployed troops.

In addition to individual cash donations, corporate sponsors fund and donate care package contents which can include shampoo, hand sanitizer, dental care products, sunscreen, wet wipes, playing cards, non-perishable snacks, drinks and a personal message of support from the donor. USO care packages are valued between $50 and $75, and can be sponsored by individual donors for $25.