SAG Partners with USO to Help Troops Phone Home
I
n the latest effort in a decades-long commitment to support America's
service members, Screen Actors Guild is partnering with the USO to raise money to purchase phone cards for troops serving overseas. Especially during this time of year, a
chance to talk to loved ones means a lot to members of the military deployed far from home. It raises morale and allows them to share special moments with family members. Just $25 to USO Operation Phone
Home (sag.kintera.org) can provide a phone card giving a service member an average of three calls home, or it can allow 70 service members to call home using the satellite service. Although telephone and Internet access
is available in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is expensive for service members, and for
those unable to take advantage of the free services at USO centers, calling cards are in high demand. Since World War II, SAG has a history of
supporting the military, and the heart and soul of that effort has been SAG members. This year they are coming through again. The outpouring of support has been heartwarming; less than 24 hours aſter this campaign was announced, donations from members topped $5,000. At its meeting on October 22, the Screen
Actors Guild National Board created the SAG National Military Personnel & Families Support Task Force, which will expand the Guild's overall support for veterans, military personnel and families.
Click here to see photos of actors visiting and entertaining the troops in Vietnam.
Left, James Garner, former SAG 2nd vice president, shakes hands with 1st Lt. Emmett Dixson at the field hospital at Tan Son Nhut, Vietnam, in 1967; Right, Bob Hope greets American service members during a USO tour in 1966.
Make a donation today at sag.kintera.org
HELP OUR TROOPS CALL HOME
SAG SUPPORTS OUR SERVICE MEN & WOMEN
CLICK HERE to donate for the purchase of telephone calling cards for American soldiers abroad.
SAG.org Fall 2011 - SCREEN ACTOR 19
Bob Hope Legacy/USO USO
