Jun 26 2009
Teaming Up to Provide Free Phone Calls to Active Duty Military
Verizon, InComm Retailers and the USO are launching an initiative to let Americans demonstrate their appreciation for armed forces personnel serving America worldwide, just in time for the July 4 holiday.
From June 22 to July 4, consumer purchases of Verizon Prepaid Long Distance Phone Cards at participating local retailers will be matched by Verizon, on a minute-for-minute basis, and donated to active duty personnel for international and domestic long-distance calling in the form of 100-minute prepaid calling cards. The cards will be distributed by the USO to United States military men and women worldwide, with an emphasis on serving deployed troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout Southwest Asia, as well as to wounded soldiers who are returning home.
Verizon will donate a minimum of 1 million minutes to the program.
“The prepaid calling cards continue to be a very useful way to keep our troops connected to their families, and we are excited to once again partner with Verizon and thank InComm retailers for providing their assistance,” said Sloan Gibson, USO president and CEO. “With this support, the USO will continue to make a difference in the lives of our service men and women.”
David Skogen, Manager of Verizon’s Prepaid Business Unit, said: “We are honored once again to create a win-win-win program for everyone involved, particularly the heroic men and women serving our country. By purchasing prepaid calling cards, consumers generate matching minutes for military men and women worldwide, which our friends at the USO deliver. These matching minutes enable our troops to stay in close touch with their friends and families and share news and developments with them, which is a critically important, morale-building benefit.”
Participating InComm retailers include:
- Casey’s General Stores
- Holiday Station Stores
- Jackson Food Stores
- Kum and Go
- Oasis Stop N Go, LLC
- Twin Stops
As a leading communications provider to the federal government, Verizon throughout the year makes technology and resources available to military personnel and their families around the world.
