Dear friends and members of the AFCEA – Atlanta Chapter:

Now in our twelfth year, the Atlanta Chapter of the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association (AFCEA), continues our tradition of hosting the USO lounge at the Atlanta Airport during the 2010 Christmas holiday travel season on Saturday, 18 DEC 2010. Here are a few ways you can be involved:

Financial Assistance: Our chapter supports the Atlanta Airport USO for Operation Block Holiday Leave. We greet, welcome, and provide refreshments for America’s military personnel and their families passing through the Atlanta Airport on their way home for the holidays. We need financial assistance to purchase food and commodities to serve at the USO Lounge.

Monetary contributions to support our Chapter efforts this holiday season can be processed on-line through AFCEA. You may want to consider also sending a corporate or personal contribution by check or money order directly to: USO of Georgia, P.O. Box 20963, Atlanta, Georgia 30320. The USO of Georgia hopes to have an online contributions capability up and running soon. Check their website: http://www.usogeorgia.org

Goodies, Food & Beverages: In support of Operation Block Holiday Leave this December, we’re looking for all kinds of goodies, bulk food and bottled water. Due to security and health considerations, all food must be commercially packaged and preferably come in individual serving sizes. Varieties requested include fresh fruit such as apples, pears and tangerines; candy & granola bars, Slim Jim’s, chips, nuts and pretzels. Perhaps your business would like to sponsor the serving of pizzas, hot dogs or other main food item.  We’re also looking for door prizes to distribute at the USO to include items such as telephone calling cards, music download cards, restaurant gift cards, MP3 players or other small special gifts that can be carried on-board through Security. Please consider a donation of this type.

Volunteer: Our members support the Atlanta Airport USO for Operation Block Holiday Leave (formerly known as Operation Exodus & Operation Exodus Return) and Soldier Rest and Relaxation (R & R) Rotations of troops returning home. We greet, welcome, and provide refreshments for America’s military personnel passing through the Atlanta Airport. We will need local AFCEA members to serve four-hour shifts as greeters and/or hosts at the USO Lounge and drivers to pickup food items before and during the event. Announcements seeking volunteers will be sent out when the exact dates and needs are determined.

Please do what you can to help! Thanks for supporting America’s military! Questions? Contact John Souders at 770-795-0484 or Terry Whitlock at 678-364-6735.

PS: Thinking of helping out? Here are some essential elements to consider: minimum age is 18; appropriate dress is required (no tank tops, shorts, open-toe shoes or t-shirts); no direct sales solicitations authorized; personnel under the influence will be denied access; a positive & friendly attitude is mandatory!!