THE HELP OUR COASTIES CALL HOME PROGRAM

THE Help Our Coasties Call Home Program

Jack's Joint Supports this effort 100%

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R 211654Z MAY 04 ZUI ASN-A00142000054
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//G-WPX//
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS //N01780//
ALCOAST 252/04
COMDTNOTE 1780
SUBJ: HELP OUR COASTIES CALL HOME PROGRAM
1. THE COAST GUARD EXCHANGE SYSTEM (CGES) HAS PARTNERED WITH THE
ARMY AND AIR FORCE EXCHANGE SERVICE (AAFES) TO PROVIDE A NEW
PROGRAM ALLOWING ANY AMERICAN TO HELP SERVICE PERSONNEL IN
OPERATIONS IRAQI AND ENDURING FREEDOM (OIF/OEF) CALL HOME. THE
NAVY EXCHANGE SERVICE COMMAND (NEXCOM) AND THE MARINE CORPS
EXCHANGE SERVICE (MCX) HAVE PARTNERED WITH AAFES TO PROVIDE THIS
SERVICE AS WELL.
2. CGES IS NOW AUTHORIZED TO SELL PREPAID CALLING CARDS TO ANY
INDIVIDUAL, COMPANY, OR ORGANIZATION THAT WISHES TO PURCHASE CARDS
FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL WHO ARE DEPLOYED. UP UNTIL NOW, THOSE
WISHING TO LEND A HELPING HAND HAD NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE BUT TO
PURCHASE OTHER RETAILERS PREPAID CARDS THAT, IN MANY CASES, WERE
NOT DESIGNED FOR AFFORDABLE INTERNATIONAL CALLING IN DEPLOYED
AREAS. NOW, ANYONE (EVEN THOSE NOT IN THE MILITARY) CAN HELP
MILITARY PERSONNEL IN CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS CALL HOME FROM ONE OF
THE MANY CALL CENTERS IN OIF/OEF.
3. MANY OF THE PREPAID CARDS AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FROM
RETAILERS OTHER THAN MILITARY EXCHANGES OFFER MUCH HIGHER RATES AND
CONNECTION CHARGES. FOR SERVICE MEMBERS TO RECEIVE THE BEST
CALLING RATES FROM OIF/OEF, SENDERS SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE
SAVINGS AND PURCHASE THE MILITARY EXCHANGE 500 UNIT PREPAID CARD,
AS IT OFFERS THE BEST VALUE WHEN CALLING HOME.
4. HELPING SERVICE MEMBERS STAY IN TOUCH WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER. ANYONE CAN LOG ON TO WWW.CG-EXCHANGE.COM
AND CLICK THE "HELP OUR COASTIES CALL HOME" LINK. FROM THERE,
THOSE WISHING TO PAY FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL TO CALL HOME CAN SEND A
PREPAID CALLING CARD TO AN INDIVIDUAL AT HIS OR HER DEPLOYED
ADDRESS OR TO "ANY SERVICE MEMBER" DEPLOYED OR HOSPITALIZED. AFFES
WILL COORDINATE DISTRIBUTION OF DONATED CARDS ADDRESSED TO "ANY
SERVICE MEMBER" VIA THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, THE AIR FORCE AID
SOCIETY, OR THE FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION.
5. IF ANYONE WISHES TO MAKE A BULK PURCHASE OF MORE THAN ONE
HUNDRED CARDS, THEY CAN CONTACT MS. LISA LAMERS AT (214) 312-3978,
OR LAMERSL(AT)AAFES.COM.
6. PROGRAM POC IS MR. JOHN E. KLARE, (757) 420-2480, EXT. 3012 OR
E-MAIL JKLARE(AT)CG-EXCHANGE.COM.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
8. RELEASED BY MR. THOMAS F. FISHER, ACTING DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT.
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