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KANSAS CITY, MO., March 15, 2006--Thanks to the Doral Community of smokers across the country, more than 70,000 deployed servicemembers will be able to call home. For the second year, the dedicated troop supporters have stepped forward to honor America’s men and women in uniform, raising $520,000 for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Operation Uplink free phone card program for deployed servicemembers and hospitalized veterans.
The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company’s Doral brand conducted the “Seals for Soldiers Fund” promotion, asking Doral smokers from across the country to donate pack seals (proofs of purchase). For every pack seal received, the brand pledged to make a donation to Operation Uplink. In just seven weeks, the company received around 5.2 million pack seals, resulting in a $520,000 donation. For the two years the promotion has been offered, the Doral Community of smokers has raised nearly $1 million for Operation Uplink.
“We applaud R.J. Reynolds and Doral smokers’ continued commitment to those who deserve it most,” said Allen “Gunner” Kent, VFW adjutant general. “Their gift to Operation Uplink will provide a tremendous boost to the VFW’s efforts to maintain a vital connection between both our military and hospitalized veterans, and their families, especially those serving overseas.”
“Doral smokers continue to show they are among the most caring and patriotic people in the country,” said Rob Dunham, vice president – Doral brand marketing. “This is quite an expression of gratitude to all the brave men and women of our armed forces for their sacrifice and dedication. We’re honored to be able to play a part in helping Doral smokers show their support.”
The donation will be used to purchase more than one million minutes of calling time for the service men and women. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the phone card program. Funded solely by donations, Operation Uplink has distributed more than 7.5 million phone cards since its inception in 1996.
by Gloria Montgomery, VFW Communications
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