SECAUCUS, NJ - November 28, 2005 - MSNBC’s “Scarborough Country” is joining forces with the USO (United Service Organizations) to bring deployed service men and women a little closer to home this holiday season with “Operation Phone Home.” Operation Phone Home, which launches Monday, November 28, will deliver telephone calling cards to troops deployed in Southwest Asia and the Persian Gulf region and will run through the Christmas holidays. Joe Scarborough will announce details of the campaign on tonight’s “Scarborough Country” (10 p.m. ET) and will speak with USO President Edward A. “Ned” Powell. Scarborough will continue to keep viewers updated with the progress of donations throughout the campaign. The calling cards will be delivered to troops beginning mid-December. “Scarborough Country” telecasts Monday through Friday on MSNBC, from 10 to 11 pm (ET).
The USO, a non-profit congressionally chartered organization, routinely donates calling cards to troops deployed both overseas and domestically. During the holiday season, the calling cards are even more critical in helping boost morale and connect families that are separated by thousands of miles.
“We are incredibly proud to be able to join with the USO to deliver telephone calling cards this year,” said Scarborough. “The holidays can be such a lonely time of year for our troops and the cost of phone calls from the Gulf can be prohibitively expensive. Providing support to the troops is something everyone can easily do and even the smallest amount can make a difference.”
Viewers will be able to make donations through the USO website: by clicking on the “Operation Phone Home Donate Now” button, the MSNBC and by telephone (1-800-876-7469).
