Operation Homefront and CDW-G Present Computers to Soldiers and Families at Fort Campbell

HHG Note: Sounds like a great idea. Maybe someone in Georgia will jump on this bandwagon.

BUSINESS WIRE--Operation Homefront, in collaboration with CDW Government, Inc. (CDW-G), a wholly owned subsidiary of CDW Corporation and leading source of information technology (IT) solutions to governments, today will present refurbished desktop computers to soldiers and families from the U.S. Army 2-44 Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Battalion at Fort Campbell. CDW-G and Operation Homefront also equipped the unit’s new computer lab with refurbished laptops, making it possible for even more military families to communicate via e-mail with their soldiers deployed overseas.

While many soldiers have e-mail access during overseas deployments, including Iraq and Afghanistan, their families often lack access to dependable, cost-effective means of communication. Regular correspondence from family members provides an invaluable benefit to service members during demanding assignments, but the families of many junior enlisted soldiers are often not able to afford computers, relying instead on conventional mail or costly phone calls to stay in touch. Operation Homefront strives to support American soldiers deployed overseas by linking them more effectively with their families through e-mail communication using computers donated by sponsors such as CDW-G.

“Providing stateside families with computer access often makes the difference between daily and weekly or monthly contact with loved ones abroad,” said Amy Palmer, vice president of operations, Operation Homefront. “Without access to a PC, relatives of service members face one of two unattractive options: the slow response time of postal mail or the high cost of long-distance telephone calls. As an organization committed to honoring the sacrifice of our military personnel, we are dedicated to providing soldiers with stable, accessible connections to loved ones back home.”

“Information technology is a game-changer for the Army, benefiting both its combat missions overseas and its domestic operations. As the Army increasingly utilizes technology to protect soldiers abroad, it is also committed to improving care for the families supporting them from home,” said Col. Frederick W. Swope, garrison commander at Fort Campbell. “Initiatives such as our on-base computer lab will enable dozens of Army families to communicate with their loved ones daily – and often instantaneously.”

CDW-G worked with Operation Homefront to donate the refurbished PCs to the soldiers and families at Fort Campbell as well as the on-base computer lab. Since its inception, Operation Homefront has delivered nearly 5,000 PCs to military families. Corporations interested in donating end-of-cycle PCs should contact the Operation Homefront (www.operationhomefront.net) National Office. Individuals interested in donating used PCs should contact their local chapter of Operation Homefront. A list of chapters is available here: www.operationhomefront.net/chapters.asp.

“The stresses of daily life – working, raising children, community participation – are all compounded in families with a parent stationed overseas. While e-mail can never replace the presence of a parent or spouse at home, it can help families communicate frequently, reconnecting loved ones who are separated by extended deployments,” said Andy Lausch, CDW-G senior director of federal sales. “Through our partnership with Operation Homefront, we can help those serving our nation abroad by enabling this vital connection to home.”