Contact: Kim Perkins, 281-637-7293, kimperkins14@gmail.com
(Sugar Land, Texas) July 27, 2009 — St. Luke’s Sugar Land Hospital Employee Activity Committee, fulfilling its commitment to lead hospital activities which give back to the community, recently presented 525 civilian rations packages to the USO of Houston. Employees of the hospital donated items which included toiletries, candies and gum, CDs, DVDs, inspirational gifts, socks and other items that might be of use to a deployed soldier. Donations were individually packaged so that each package contained a variety of items. The Civilian Rations Packages were presented to Susan Barlow, director, and Anna Charles, program manager, USO Houston.
Known for its support and caring of our service men and women as well as our veterans and their families, USO Houston is home to two USO centers located at George Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby airports. USO Houston currently provides a home away from home to more than 110,000 troops and their families; and its centers provide free Internet and e-mail access through its cyber safe, entertainment lounges with large screen television, DVD players and movies and video gaming systems, libraries, children’s play areas and kitchens. The St. Luke’s Sugar Land Hospital Civilian Rations Packages will be given to any military member being deployed and in need of toiletries, etc.
“Many of our employees, including myself, have family or friends serving in the military,” said Beryl Ramsey, CEO, St. Luke’s Sugar Land Hospital and vice president, St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System. “We understand how meaningful it is for a deployed military member to receive items that might otherwise be overlooked. Not to mention that the added surprise package makes the soldier feel supported and cared about.”
Volunteers and donations are what keep USO Houston’s centers up and running. Approximately 8,000 Houston area troops will be deployed this fall. If you and/or your organization would like to provide donations, or volunteer at a USO center, contact Anna Charles, USO Houston program director at acharles@uso.org.
