Jack Daniel's And The USO Ask Citizens To Help Celebrate July 4th By Sending A Message Of Support To Our Troops

LYNCHBURG, Tenn., July 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As Americans celebrate our nation's independence, Jack Daniel's is asking its friends to take a few minutes to go online and sign a message of support for our servicemen and women.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110829/CL59034LOGO-a)

By visiting www.JDToastTheTroops.com, people over 21 years of age can sign their own online "toast" card – a message of support – that will be included in USO Care Packages for our troops deployed overseas in packages assembled at upcoming stuffing parties held this summer in Sturgis, SD, and Fort Hood, TX.

The effort is part of the Jack Daniel's/USO "Toast to the Troops" campaign that began in September 2005.  In addition to the message of support, the packages will also include items requested by service men and women, such as prepaid international calling cards, toiletries, sunscreen, playing cards, disposable cameras and snacks.  More than 160,000 care packages have been sent through "Toast to the Troops."

"We owe so much to our military men and women and their families for the sacrifices they have made on our behalf so we can have the independence we'll all be celebrating," said Jennifer Powell, Senior Brand Manager for Jack Daniel's.  "We have been overwhelmed by the support we've seen through our Toast program for our servicemen and women, and we want to take advantage of every chance we get to let them know how much they are appreciated."

"The men and women, who give so much for our country, do it voluntarily and ask for nothing in return from the Americans they protect. That is why the USO and its partners like Jack Daniel's are committed to showing our nation's troops just how thankful we are for their service and also honored to be able to create opportunities for Americans to do the same. This partnership provides a very simple, yet powerful way to let our men and women in uniform know how much we love and support them," said Kelli Seely, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer of the USO.

Due to heightened security, individuals can no longer send letters and packages addressed to "Any Service Member."  The Operation USO Care Package program is the best way to send a message of encouragement directly to troops and provide a touch of home.  The USO has distributed more than two million care packages since the program's inception in 2003.  More information on the Operation USO Care Package program and other USO programs can be found at www.uso.org.

About Jack Daniel's
Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow, proprietor, is the oldest registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel's is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey-Based Ready-to-Drink Beverages and Jack Daniel's Country Cocktails. 

Jack Daniel's encourages its friends to drink responsibly.

About the USO
The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America's troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases in the U.S. and abroad, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops, military families, wounded warriors and their families and the families of the fallen.

The USO is a private, nonprofit organization, not a government agency. All of our programs and services are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.  In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President's Circle Partners: American Airlines, AT&T, Clear Channel, The Coca-Cola Company, Kangaroo Express, Kroger, Lowe's, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Procter & Gamble, and TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Worldwide Strategic Partners: BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, and Microsoft Corporation. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381).  To join us in this patriotic mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.

SOURCE Jack Daniel's