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KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 19, 2007--The VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary are challenging its members to raise money for Operation Uplink, the VFW’s premier military-support program that provides free phone cards to deployed servicemembers and hospitalized veterans.
Responding to an immediate large-scale need for phone cards to our deployed troops in Iraq, the Ladies Auxiliary is promising matching funds—up to $125,000—for every dollar VFW members raise for the Operation Uplink campaign.
Mike Penney, director for the VFW’s Military Assistance Program, reiterated the importance of the popular phone-card program and its link to enhancing the morale and well-being of America’s servicemen and women.
“That’s what the VFW is all about,” Penny said. “Taking care of the troops. Without a doubt, Operation Uplink is a huge part of that mission, which is why the VFW’s immediate challenge is to replenish our phone-card supply.” [Click to donate]
Funded solely by donations, Operation Uplink’s coffer is depleted because of an unexpected surge in demand. According to VFW Adjutant General Allen “Gunner” Kent, weekly phone card requests now average 10,000-15,000, compared to last year’s average of 5,000 to 8,000 requests.
“At the present, we simply cannot keep up with the demand and therefore are having difficulty fulfilling phone cards requests,” Kent said.
The VFW assists all veterans and their families in obtaining veterans' entitlements and other services. In addition, the organization works for the well being of those serving on active duty, in the National Guard and the Reserves. Annually, the VFW contributes more than 14 million volunteer hours and more than $50 million toward community service projects. The VFW was founded in 1899. There are 2.4 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries located in approximately 8,500 Posts worldwide.
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