ANDREW J. SPANO, Westchester County Executive
SUSAN TOLCHIN, Director of Communications 

CONTACT: SUSAN TOLCHIN (914) 995-2932
VICTORIA HOCHMAN (914) 995-2950

Dec. 10, 2004

NOTICE TO EDITORS AND REPORTERS

Posters and DVDs with holiday messages from family, friends and neighbors across Westchester will go out to the troops serving overseas on Monday, Dec. 13 at 11:30 a.m. when volunteers gather at the County Office Building in White Plains to mail off packages. 

At that time, County Executive Andy Spano, Veteran's Service Agency Director Tom Meier, veterans and family of troops will begin packaging these special messages collected as part of the county's "Thank You for Serving" campaign. The campaign kicked off in October with a rally at Lasdon Park where family and friends video recorded messages to their loved ones, some of which will appear as part of an HBO special. 

Since October, the Veterans' Service Agency has also collected hundreds of signatures and greetings from school children, family and friends, businesses, the VFW, American Legion, Marine Corps League, Vietnam Veterans of America, Amvets, Disabled Veterans of America, Elks Lodges and other service organizations.

These messages will be on display Monday morning and then packaged by volunteers and delivered to the Post Office for mailing.

The Veteran's Service Agency has also appealed to residents to send care packages to the troops. The agency is trying to reach ALL county residents serving overseas, so if you know of anyone serving overseas who might like to receive a package, or if you would like to send a care package to someone serving overseas, contact the Veterans Service Agency at (914) 995-2146 for more information.