Operation: I'll be Home for the Holidays (Block Leave)

MEDIA CONTACT:

Elan Enriquez,
Director of Strategic Partnerships and Communications
USO Hampton Roads and Central Virginia
Elan@USOHRCV.org
Ph: 757.337.4447

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

# Virginia Beach based ADS Inc pledges support to USO center at Norfolk during holiday travel season Operation: I’ll be Home for the Holidays provides respite and care for travelling troops

Dec. 11, 2017 - Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach based company, Atlantic Diving Supply (ADS) Inc. has pledged to support the men and women of our armed forces this holiday season with donations to the USO Hampton Roads and Central Virginia (USOHRCV) in support of the annual Operation: I’ll be Home for the Holidays.

Each year, base facilities partially close down for the holiday season, and thousands of service members fill area airports awaiting flights to their hometowns. Often times, due to limited resources and transportation schedules, service members will spend upwards of 6 hours, and occasionally spend the night, at USO welcome centers before borading their outbound flights.

“We heavily rely on support from donors like ADS this time of the year.” Said Paula Moran, President and CEO of the USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia. “The USO does not receive federal funding, and we rely solely on the generosity of individual donors, and sponsors like ADS who are willing to tackle these special projects, like the caring and feeding of troops here on the homefront.”

“ADS is proud to be able to support our service men and women as they travel home to their families this holiday season. We understand that a few hours can feel like days for someone who’s already been away from their loved ones. We want to be a part of making that wait just a little bit easier for them.” Said Jason Wallace, CEO of ADS, Inc.

ADS Inc has supported USOHRCV in a number of ways, including sponsoring the annual USO Warrior Week at the Virginia Beach oceanfront, and supporting USOHRCV with donations from restaurant partners during ADS annual Warrior Expo East.

This year, Operation: I’ll be Home for the Holidays is scheduled to begin December 20 and will run through the 22nd at Norfolk Internationla Airport. Each year the USO works with base officials who communicate anticipated dates and numbers, especially for any large troop movements. This year the USO center at Norfolk international Airport alone is expecting 2,500 troops and families through the center during the month of December, with 500 alone coming from Army personnel.

While the task of providing a home away from home for troops in such large numbers seem daunting, volunteers for the USO are unphased.

“Volunteers often fight and compete over who gets to be on the schedule during this time of the year.” Said Hannah Hendricks, Volunteer Coordinator for USOHRCV. “They also come together and help provide snacks and beverages for our centers too. Often times they hold collections at their place of work, or worship. These extra collections provide a tremendous help.”

“We get a lot of treats like candy and snack cakes donated, but what we really need most are healthy options.” Said Kevin Hoffer, Director of Center Operations for USOHRCV. “Fresh fruit always goes quick here. Protein bars, beef jerkey and other low-sugar items are always in demand.”

Operation I’ll be Home for the Holidays extends beyond Norfolk International Airport, to include USO centers at Newport News/Williamsburg International airport and Richmond International Airport as well. A round the clock watch is planned for the USO center at RIC airport, which will be open continuously starting Sun. Dec. 17th at 8AM until Fri. Dec. 22nd at 9PM to accommodate an anticipated 4,500 to 5,000 troops from all branches of service.

In addition to support from ADS Inc., USOHRCV received additional support for this morale lifting program from Kroger and Walmart in the form of gift cards. Donations of gift cards or non-perishable goods may always be brought to your local USOHRCV center for distribution to service members and their families travelling for the holiday season and throughout the year. Bulk and wholesale donations can also be accepted, and coordinated through the USOHRCV main office. Please call 757.337.4447 or email ContactUs@USOHRCV.org to make an in-kind donation. Homemade goods cannot be accepted.

About the USOHRCV
The USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia (USO-HRCV) strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. At hundreds of locations worldwide, we are united in our commitment to connect our service members and their families through countless acts of caring, comfort, and support. The USO-HRCV is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs, services and entertainment are made possible by local Virginians, support of our corporate partners and local board members, and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.

In addition to individual donors, the USO HRCV significant corporate sponsors include Altria, GEICO Military, Dunkin’ Donuts, Cox Communications, The WaWa Foundation, USAA, Kroger, MetroPCS, Bryant & Stratton College, Military Newspapers of Virginia, SAIC, Harris Teete and now Liberty Taxr. We are also supported through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-29471). To join us in this important mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit hrcv.uso.org.

About ADS Inc.,
ADS, Inc. is a leading value-added logistics and supply chain solutions provider that proudly serves all branches of the U.S. Military, federal, state and local government organizations, law enforcement agencies, first responders, partner nations, and the defense industry. Headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA, ADS is a Top 50 Department of Defense Contractor focused on solving our customers’ challenges by providing the best product and service offerings, the broadest array of procurement options, and legendary customer service.

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