MonticelloLive

AT&T contributed 300 telephone calling cards to our National Guard Troops at the National Guard Armory, earlier this week.

Present for the program were Monticello Mayor Joe Rogers, State Representative Eddie Cheatham, MEDC Director Truman Hamilton, Sgt. Robbie Reed, Senator Jimmy Jeffress, AT&T’s Kathleen Moore, Rep. Greg Reep, Rep. Allen Maxwell, and Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin.

—————————————————–

AT&T Will Donate More Than 30,000 Prepaid Phone Cards to U.S. Military Members in 2008

AT&T Inc. announced a  donation of 300 prepaid phone cards to the 39th Infantry of the Arkansas
National Guard. The donated cards will be given to the troops currently  serving overseas.
            Additionally, last week the company announced that it will  donate more than 30,000 prepaid phone cards in 2008 - with a retail value of  more than $200,000. With help from the USO, AT&T will distribute the cards to military personnel stationed overseas. Today’s donation is in addition to  the 30,000 prepaid phone card commitment, and each donated phone card will  provide military members with 20 minutes of free talk time from Iraq, Kuwait  and Afghanistan to the U.S.
            “It’s a pleasure to provide these prepaid calling cards so that  members of the 39th can have more contact with their loved ones at home,”  said Kathleen Moore, director of External Affairs for AT&T Arkansas. Moore  also recognized Rep. Alan Maxwell by saying he initiated the idea of
presenting cards to departing troops from the region. Maxwell said: “Whether it’s helping restore peace in the world or responding  to a local emergency, we’ve always been able to depend on the National  Guard. It’s a privilege to represent these soldiers and their families at  the Legislature, and I’m proud to help recognize their service.”

The donation builds on AT&T’s commitment to help keep military families  connected. In the past two years, AT&T has donated prepaid phone cards -  with a retail value of more than $4 million - to help support U.S. military members and their families. In  the past 20 years, AT&T has contributed tens of millions of dollars to the  USO in support of the Operation USO Care Package and USO Operation Phone  Home® programs, as well as USO entertainment tours. AT&T has also helped the  USO boost troop morale through funding regional operations in Europe, Southwest Asia and the Pacific.

Since 1941, the USO has provided morale, welfare and recreation-type  programs and services to enhance the quality of life for military personnel  and their families around the world. The USO currently operates more than  130 centers, including 10 mobile canteens. These centers offer free Internet  and e-mail access, prepaid international phone cards, entertainment and  lounge areas, libraries, travel assistance and refreshments. USO  entertainment tours bring celebrity volunteers to entertain and lift the  morale of troops and to express the gratitude and support of the American  people.
For more than 85 years, AT&T has remained dedicated to supporting active  military personnel, their families and veterans through charitable  contributions, sponsorships, the hiring of military veterans and maintaining  policies that support reservists who are called to duty. Since 2000, AT&T  has donated free prepaid phone cards, with a retail value of nearly $8  million, to military members and has provided nearly $6 million in grants  that support military members and related nonprofit organizations. The  company has also built 70 calling centers for military members stationed in  Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan so that they may stay in touch with their  families.