News Releases
GSA Ships Decorations, Holiday Cheer to U.S. Troops in Middle EastGSA #10431 December 11, 2007
WASHINGTON — A special holiday shipment will leave the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) today, headed for U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, the agency announced. Volunteers from GSA packed boxes of food, personal items and forget-me-nots for the third straight year to show support for American service members stationed overseas this holiday season. "Each day our men and women in the military place their personal safety second to our nation’s security,” said GSA Administrator Lurita Doan. “We hope that showing our appreciation in this small way gives them a big lift at a time when they may need it most. I am so proud of this grassroots effort by our employees to support our troops.” Volunteers filled the special holiday shipment through the agency’s Holiday Boxes of Cheer program in conjunction with Operation Support Our Troops, a national non-profit organization that coordinates mailings to U.S. troops. The shipment of 87 boxes will depart today from Crystal City in Arlington, Va., and head for John F. Kennedy International Airport – in coordination with the U.S. Postal Service – destined for U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Contributions such as letters and greeting cards, magazines, toiletries, games, food, clothing, disposable cameras, holiday decorations and other miscellaneous items provided and collected by employees of GSA will be received in time for the holidays by American troops serving overseas. According to recently published media reports, an estimated 162,000 U.S. troops are currently in Iraq while an estimated 26,000 American troops are in Afghanistan. Now in its third year, GSA’s Holiday Boxes of Cheer initiative launched in December 2004 when the agency delivered a shipment totaling 25 boxes filled with holiday-related items to troops stationed at remote locations in Iraq. In 2006, volunteers with GSA’s Holiday Boxes of Cheer program packed and shipped more than 60 boxes of donated items, including CD and DVD players, to men and women serving overseas. (Photo available) #### Founded in 1949, GSA serves as a centralized procurement and property management agency for the federal government. GSA manages more than one-fourth of the government’s total procurement dollars and influences the management of $500 billion in federal assets, including 8,600 government-owned or leased buildings and 208,000 vehicles. GSA helps preserve our past and define our future, as a steward of more than 425 historic properties, and as manager of USA.gov, the official portal to federal government information and services. GSA’s mission to provide superior workplaces, expert technology solutions, acquisition services, purchasing and E-Gov travel solutions and management policies, at best value, allows federal agencies to focus on their core missions. Did You Know? An estimated 12,100 employees work at the U.S. General Services Administration, recently named among the top 10 Best Places to Work in federal government for 2007.
Last Reviewed 12/11/2007
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