AT&T Helps Connect Military Families for July 4th With Free Phone Calls for the USO and Active-Duty Military

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It’s always nice to be able to post good news about a company…

Donates More Than 30,000 Prepaid Phone Cards to U.S. Military Members in 2009, Salutes Military Families During the AT&T National

DALLAS, July 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — With one of the most patriotic U.S. holidays ahead, AT&T* has military families top of mind. With the help of the USO, AT&T is donating more than 30,000 prepaid phone cards with a retail value of more than $150,000 to military personnel stationed overseas in 2009.

Announced today at the AT&T National Golf Tournament in Bethesda, Md., AT&T is working with the USO to distribute the first 20,000 prepaid cards of the year at overseas military bases and during USO entertainment tours in the weeks surrounding Independence Day 2009. The donation is in honor of U.S. veterans around the world, whether they are on active duty or have a son, daughter, husband, wife or loved one who is actively serving.

In the weeks surrounding Independence Day, the USO is helping AT&T distribute thousands of phone cards to troops throughout Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, South Korea, Japan, Italy and Germany, including personally handing cards to wounded military members at Landsthul Regional Medical Center. Each donated phone card will provide military members with 20 minutes of free talk time from Iraq to the U.S.

“We’re very passionate about helping keep military families connected,” said Judy Cavalieri, vice president, Prepaid Products, AT&T. “Whether you’re across town or around the world from friends and family, sometimes a phone call can make all the difference.”

In addition to the announcement today, AT&T also donated 2,500 prepaid phones cards to be included in care packages being boxed up for soldiers overseas by fans attending the AT&T National tournament.

The donations build on AT&T’s commitment to help keep military families connected. 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 and related nonprofit organizations. And, AT&T has built 70 calling centers for military members stationed in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan, so they can stay in touch with friends and family.

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(R) programs, as well as USO entertainment tours and 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 135 centers, including 11 mobile canteens, offering free Internet and e-mail access, prepaid 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. For more information, go to http://www.att.com/troopsupport.

About the USO

The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Gallery Furniture, S & K Sales Co. and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381), have joined millions of individual donors to support the USO. For more information, please visit our Web site at http://www.uso.org.