Verizon store organizes book drive for troops

NEW PORT RICHEY – Over the past several years, countless collection drives have taken place here and across the country to provide U.S. military personnel serving overseas with some of the simple comforts they’ve left behind.

Most of these drives focus on providing a taste of home, such as snacks to break up the monotony of field rations.

They also provide physical comfort with personal hygiene items and psychological comfort with letter-writing projects and holiday cards.

Verizon Wireless Cellular Sales, 8718 Trouble Creek Road, partnered with the law firm Lucas, Green Magazine, the Sand Soldiers of America and area schools on a collection drive to provide the troops with books to quell the boredom and give their minds a diversion during off-duty hours.

The Books for Troops project collected more than 10,000 books to send to men and women in the military deployed overseas.

The central event for the drive was a “Book Bash” held Oct. 29 at the store’s Verizon Expo Hall.

“It is a very interesting model for turnkey businesses and the community,” said Yvette Behmer, spokeswoman for Sand Soldiers of America.

While many businesses make community involvement a priority, this particular Verizon Cellular store took its corporate citizenship a step further.

When the store opened this past spring, it included a 10,000-square-foot expo hall, in which community events are held on a regular basis.

Since the first event, Verizon adopted the Sand Soldiers of America as its local charity.

Sand Soldiers of America is a nonprofit organization originally created in 2009 to address the needs of younger veterans, primarily those from the post-Vietnam era.

It, however, regularly works with other veterans groups and welcomes participation by all former service members.

Lucas, Green Magazine was involved in forming the Sand Soldiers and got in on the Books for Troops drive, along with several other businesses and schools.

Verizon presented Trinity Elementary School with a check for $1,000 on behalf of Sand Soldiers, which collected 5,000 books for the drive.

The law firm matched Verizon Wireless Cellular Sales’ donation and presented Dayspring Academy with $1,000 for its hard work in collecting 2,000 books.

The next big event at the Verizon Wireless Cellular Sales Expo Hall will be a free Christmas charity party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 10. Radio station 106.3 True Oldies will be onsite, and the event also features pictures with Santa, children’s activities, presents, holiday shopping and more than 100 prizes.

There will also be chances to donate to several local charities. Visit www.facebook.com/cellularsalesexpohall for the charities, a donation list and more event information.

klowry@suncoastnews.com (727) 815-1067

Share this:

Loading Comments…

Other articles you might like;

• Making Money On The Web Is Something You Can Do By Advertising What You’re Good At
• {For Those Of You Looking To Set Up A WordPress Blog We Are Looking At The WordPress How To Video Course|The WordPress How To Video Course Can Instruct You How To Set Up Your Own WordPress Blog|You Can Create Your Own WordPress Blog With The Wordpre
• Rising Your Consciousness To Live a Great Life
• Can I Start Selling Ebooks Online To Earn Some Money?
• Build 25 Unique Backlinks to Your Pages Every Single Day, FREE!

Article source: http://suncoastpasco.tbo.com/content/2011/nov/25/260000/PGNEWSO1-verizon-store-organizes-book-drive-for-tr/

Related posts:

1. Premium Verizon Retailer Opens New Store on South Lamar
2. Verizon store opens in south Salisbury
3. Premium Verizon Retailer Opens New Store in Glenolden
4. Verizon Wireless Reveals New Service: Private Applications Store for Business
5. RWE Picks Verizon’s Managed Network to Drive Energy Exchange