Eglin next up for Jack Daniel's/USO "Toast to the Troops" program

  • Published
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Deployed military personnel from all services will be the latest recipients of USO care packages assembled at a "stuffing party" April 15 in Hangar 102.

The base was selected as the site of the next Jack Daniel's/USO "Toast to the Troops" event as military spouses, USO volunteers and others will assemble thousands of Operation USO Care Packages for troops serving overseas.

"This is going to be a fun event," said Col. Marc Piccolo, 96th Mission Support Group commander. "Most of the volunteers stuffing packages have loved ones deployed or who have recently returned from a deployment, which makes it that much more meaningful for them. We're grateful to have this opportunity to remember our deployed and recognize the contributions of the spouses that keep things going back at home. I'm looking forward to a night of great family entertainment."

Eglin currently has more than 500 personnel supporting operations around the world.

Inserts for the care packages include items requested by service members, such as prepaid international calling cards, toiletries, sunscreen, playing cards, disposable cameras and snacks. The packages are being assembled for troops deploying to Afghanistan, Iraq and other overseas locations, as well as troops arriving and departing on rest and recuperation (R&R) flights.

Supplies will arrive with the Operation USO care package team. Master Sgt. Thomas Thielman, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, said the squadron is providing 30 wooden skids, two pallet jacks, a forklift and forklift operator to assist the team in unloading and setting up the contents for the volunteers.

Almost 150 volunteers will be on hand to stuff packages. Another 50 will set up and tear down the venue. Master Sgt. Mary Davis, head of the Hearts Apart program at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, said the first 50 volunteers are spouses from the program. The rest of the volunteers were recruited through the First Sergeants and Chiefs Councils.

"We got a really good response when we asked for volunteers" Sergeant Davis said. "The spouses want to help out and give back. I sent out an e-mail to the spouses in the Hearts Apart program and we got 50 volunteers. The spouses feel so much is done for them, they want to do something for someone else," she said.

After all the packages are stuffed, volunteers will be treated to a "thank you" barbeque sponsored by Jack Daniel's and catered by the Eglin Club. At 7 p.m., a base-wide concert will kick off in Hangar 102. The concert is headlined by country music star Craig Morgan. Mr. Morgan, a ten-year Army veteran, has been a part of all 13 previous Jack Daniel's/USO "Toast to the Troops" events dating back to 2005.

Since 2005, the Jack Daniel Distillery has been collecting personal messages of support in the form of "toasts" to include in USO care packages, and has hosted 13 other "stuffing parties" at military installations across the country. More than 150,000 care packages have been sent to our troops through the "Toast to the Troops" program.

"All of us at Jack Daniel's honor and support our nation's servicemen and women," said Jennifer Powell, Senior Brand Manager for Jack Daniel's. "We also recognize and sincerely appreciate the sacrifices made by the spouses and families of our military heroes. The Toast program is just one way for us to show our love and support to those who truly deserve it."

"We thank Jack Daniel's for their continued support," said Elaine Rogers, president and CEO of the USO of Metropolitan Washington, which administers the Operation USO Care Package program. "Since 2005, these events have been an excellent opportunity for local communities to demonstrate their support for our men and women in uniform and their families."

Due to heightened security, individuals can no longer send letters and packages addressed to "Any Service Member." The Operation USO Care Package program is the best way to send a message of encouragement directly to troops and provide a touch of home. The USO has distributed more than two million care packages since the program's inception in 2003. More information on the Operation USO Care Package program and other USO programs can be found at www.uso.org.