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Avon Representatives Join the USO to Support U.S. Troops Overseas During the Holiday Season
Operation Avon-USO Cares Calls America to Action
New York - November 8, 2007
This Veterans Day, Avon Products, Inc. and the USO are calling on customers and representatives to support deployed military personnel by participating in Operation Avon-USO Cares. Through this program, Avon Representatives across the U.S. are selling special gift sets for the men and women of the armed forces, which the USO will deliver as part of the organization's Operation USO Care Package program. Gift sets cost $10 and contain Avon skin care products.
The holiday season is a particularly difficult time of year for service members overseas as they spend the holidays away from their families and loved ones. Operation Avon-USO Cares lifts spirits and provides a touch of home to U.S. service members.
Operation USO Care Packages can contain prepaid international phone cards, snacks, sunscreen, toiletries, compact discs and other items requested by service men and women. To further brighten the spirits of the U.S. troops, each care package includes a personal message of support and thanks.
"These holidays are a time for giving thanks for our many blessings," said Edward A. Powell, USO president and CEO. "What better time than Veterans Day to kick off a season of thanks-giving to the men and women in uniform?"
Last Veterans Day, Avon and the USO marked the distribution of the one millionth Operation USO Care Package. Since then, Avon has sponsored 50,000 more care packages, but more are needed, Powell said. Maria Peninger, regional vice president-Southeast at Avon Products, Inc. said that the company has a long history of involving its sales force of 650,000 Avon representatives in charitable projects. "After 121 years, no one knows a community better than Avon. When you're that close to your neighbors, you want to help. Avon Representatives have raised millions of dollars for good causes, including the victims of Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami and 9/11."
Since 2004, Avon has worked with the USO to thank the troops for their service and sacrifice. Through the efforts of Avon representatives, more than $1.7 million has been raised through cash and in-kind product donations, and more than 68,000 care packages have been delivered to the men and women of the U.S. armed forces.
Operation Avon-USO Cares is the latest in a long line of charitable efforts by Avon Products, Inc. In addition to the ongoing programs of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade and Speak Out Against Domestic Violence, Avon representatives have raised millions of dollars for special relief efforts, including support for families of those lost in the attacks of September 11th, to assist the families of military personnel lost or injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for victims of the 2004 tsunami and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Together, Avon and the Avon Foundation have raised and donated more than $500 million worldwide for important causes that help improve the lives of women and their families.
Profits from the sale of the care packages are donated to the USO to support its important work. To sponsor an Operation Avon-USO Cares gift set, call your local Avon Representative or log on to www.Avon.com/USO to sponsor a care package.
About the USO
For more than 66 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel 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 Operation USO Care Package program is supported by four-star sponsors AT&T Inc., AVON Company, Inc., Bass Pro Shops®, FedEx Corp., Jack Daniel's, Lockheed Martin Corp., Schick® and Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO. For more information on the USO, please visit our Web site at www.uso.org.
About Avon
Avon, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with almost $9 billion in annual revenue. As the world's largest direct seller, Avon markets to women in well over 100 countries through over five million independent Avon Sales Representatives. Avon's product line includes beauty products, fashion jewelry and apparel, and features such well-recognized brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Avon Solutions, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals, Mark, and Avon Wellness. Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avoncompany.com.
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