Frater and Home Depot CEO Announces Partnership with USO
The Home Depot® Holiday Promotion Benefits USO Centers
Up to $1 million will support a "home away from home" for U.S. troops
ARLINGTON, Va. - The United Service Organizations and The Home Depot, the world's largest home improvement retailer, are proud to announce a holiday gift card campaign to benefit USO centers worldwide. Between Jan. 1 - 28, 2007, the USO will receive 5 percent of all The Home Depot redeemed gift card sales, up to $1 million. Proceeds from this promotion will support the construction of new USO centers, and the ongoing maintenance and capital upkeep of existing facilities.
"We thank The Home Depot for its continued support of the USO and our mission," stated Edward A. Powell, USO president and CEO. "This donation will help the USO continue to offer a 'home away from home' to our men and women in uniform and their families around the world."
"During the past three years, our company has had as many as 1,800 associates called to active duty, and we are proud to support the USO's efforts to help them and other troops as they serve our country," said Frater Bob Nardelli (Zeta-Theta), chairman, president & CEO of The Home Depot.
In September 2004, The Home Depot joined forces with the U.S. Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs to launch Operation Career FrontSM, an unprecedented program designed to provide career opportunities for America's military personnel interested in transferring their unique skills, knowledge and abilities into a successful second career. That year the Company was honored with the No. 1 ranking in G.I. Jobs magazine's Top 10 Employers for Military Personnel, and in 2005 and 2006 received the No. 4 and No. 2 rankings, respectively. From 2003 to 2005 The Home Depot has hired 43,000 former military personnel.
In 2005, The Home Depot awarded the USO a $250,000 grant. This donation funded renovation projects for eight USO centers, and supported USO programs and services. USO centers receiving the grant funds included USO El Paso, Inc.; USO of Metropolitan New York, Inc.; USO of Illinois, Inc.; USO of North Carolina, Inc.; James S. McDonnell USO, Inc.; USO of South Texas, Inc.; USO of Pennsylvania & Southern New Jersey, Inc.; and USO of Greater Houston, Inc.
The USO currently operates 133 centers around the world, providing morale-boosting programs and services. USO centers offer free Internet and e-mail access, libraries, entertainment and lounge areas, refreshments, travel assistance and other touches of home during 5.6 million visits each year by service members and their families. Special programs include Operation USO Care PackageSM, USO Operation Phone Home™, United Through Reading™ and the USO Mobile Fleet.
As a nonprofit organization, the work of the USO and its centers is largely made possible by the support of the American public. Corporate in-kind donations and sponsorships, along with volunteers and monetary donations, help make the USO a success.
The Offices of the Grand Chapter applaud Frater Nardelli and his company Home Depot for their philanthropic efforts. Frater Nardelli is a Life Loyal Teke and regular donor to the TKE Educational Foundation.
Adapted from a Home Depot Press Release. If you would like to see your chapter news here, contact Communications Coordinator Tom McAninch.