Contact: Karen Clark Office: 315-777-8006 Cell: 315-778-0850 Email: kclark@uso.

org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Two Separate Initiatives Come Together on One USO Fort Drum Project
Fort Drum, NY (September 10, 2013) Two separate initiatives, by two separate organizations, are
coming together to support one project at the USO Fort Drum. A grant from the Northern New York Community Foundation is being combined with the donation of skilled labor from the employee volunteerism program from Lend Lease (US) Public Partnerships LLC, making it possible for multi-purpose room in the USO Fort Drum to get some much needed sprucing up. Earlier this year the Northern New York Community Foundations Youth Philanthropy Council voted to give a $1,000 grant to the USO Fort Drum. The USO was one of nine organizations serving the Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties that received a grant. The USO Fort Drum grant specifies that funds must be used to help refurbish (paint) the USOs multi-purpose room. Karen Clark, Director of the USO Fort Drum said, I was very excited to be given the opportunity to pitch the project to the Youth Philanthropy Council. The teens asked a lot of really good questions about Fort Drum and the USOs mission. Most of the council members were not related to Fort Drum Soldiers. They were fascinated to learn that the USO relies on volunteers and donations to keep the Center on Fort Drum stocked with everything from couches and TVs, to the snacks served at the Wheeler Sack Army Air Field when Soldier return from Afghanistan. Lend Lease (US) Public Partnerships LLC, is the company that has partnered with the Army to build and manage the new housing communities on post. Each year, Lead Lease, encourages its employees to partner with a not-for-profit organization and volunteer their time and talents. They call this Community Day. After touring the USO Fort Drum, Lend Lease staff members selected the same project, the painting of the multi-purpose room, for its Community Day employee volunteer project. Eager to get to work, the Lend Lease committee members quickly picked a date to paint, September 20th, and began encouraging local contractors to donate supplies and/or money. Sherwin Williams donated ten gallons of paint. Try Fleming, from All Star Construction, donated $500. Charlie Trump, from Northern Roofing donated $200, and Charlie Manfred, from Manfred Construction, donated $175. The Lend Lease Fort Drum office is excited to have this opportunity to give back and show our support to such a quality organization. Lend Lease Construction / Ft Drum Mountain Community Homes Teams
USO Fort Drum | 10502 South Riva Ridge Loop | PO Box 454 | Fort Drum, NY 13602 315.777.8006 Phone | 315.777.8005 Fax

When the Northern New York Community Foundation learned the project date was selected, they were excited to hear the news. The Northern New York Community Foundation and the Youth Philanthropy Council were eager to support the USO in its endeavor to continue to provide services and opportunities for our militarys men and women and their families. It is a partnership that creates a meaningful impact on those individuals serving our country and living in our local communities. Rande Richardson, Executive Director. To support your local USO register to volunteer at www.usovolunteer.org or send donations to: USO Fort Drum, PO Box 454, Fort Drum, NY 13602. ### The USO lifts the spirits of Americas troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases, top-quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops and their families, wounded warriors and their families and the families of the fallen.
. Christine Parks | Project Accountant | Project Management & Construction | Lend Lease Building T-5 Lewis Ave, Fort Drum, NY 13602 Mail: PO Box 189, Black River, NY 13612 T 315 955 6010 | F 315 775 4047 christine.parks@lendlease.com | www.lendlease.com

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Max DelSignore
Coordinator of Donor Services Northern New York Community Foundation, Inc. 120 Washington St., Suite 400 Watertown, NY 13601 Phone: (315) 782-7110 Fax: (315) 782-0047 max@nnycf.org www.nnycf.org Bullet points from Max DelSignore, NNY Community Foundation, Inc:

USO was one of nine organizations to receive a grant from the Northern New York Community
Foundations Youth Philanthropy Council. All the grants went to organizations serving Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence County.

As you mentioned, the $1,000 grant was used to help refurbish (paint) the multi-purpose room for
soldiers/families.

The funding for Youth Philanthropy Council is a collaborative partnership with the Northern New York
Community Foundation, Watertown Savings Bank and Renzi Foodservice.

USO Fort Drum | 10502 South Riva Ridge Loop | PO Box 454 | Fort Drum, NY 13602 315.777.8006 Phone | 315.777.8005 Fax