FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, December 15, 2009

www.owva.org
Greg@owva.org
Nellie@owva.org

Salem, Ore. - Oregon War Veterans Association (OWVA) in conjunction with KATU, Channel 2 TV raised enough money needed to bring the stranded National Guard Troops home for the holidays on Thursday, December 10, 2009.

Nearly one thousand people called into the KATU broadcast station during the OWVA “Save Christmas/Airlift” telethon last week raising more than $61,000.00. The funds purchased plane tickets for 105 stranded Oregon National Guard (ORNG) Troops, whose deployment to Afghanistan was delayed during the holidays.

The $20,000.00 over the amount actually needed for the Airlift Project will be used to send 35 disabled ORNG troops and a family member to the Paralympics in Vancouver, BC next year.

OWVA raised nearly $20,000 within the first two hours of the telethon. KATU’s Carolyn Morgan told volunteers that “we have never seen such a tremendous response for any other cause. This is very exciting.” Anna Song, KATU reporter who was first to carry the story to the public came in during the telethon and was amazed at the level of support. She told the volunteers that she was “blessed” to be part of the solution, and was inspired by the generosity of the donors.

During the telethon OWVA’s director, Greg Warnock, told KATU viewers, “I am humbled to be involved with projects like these- to be part of the solution of such overwhelming problems. The generosity of Oregonians from all over the State affirms my belief that people really want to help our troops.” Warnock added, “Being a seasoned charity that has a great reputation of getting the job done makes a difference, I think, on how generous people are with us.”

What’s next? OWVA knows that there will be many more causes which need public attention and support, and plan to be involved as much as possible. Donations are still being taken online for OWVA’s other charitable projects. They are also trying to raise $30,000 for the OWVA/ORG emergency fund, which helps individual families who have no other resources for things like food, housing, utility payments and emergency transportation.

To make a generous donation to OWVA’s charitable projects, donors can make tax deductible contributions in the following three ways:

1. Online with a credit card of check card to www.owva.org/donate
2. Direct deposit to ANY US Bank branch to the Oregon War Veterans Association/ORNG (account ending in #5051)
3. Mail a check to PO Box 8043, Salem, OR 97303

OWVA thanks you for your continued support.