(Mountain View, CA)—An unprecedented 8-hour telethon raised $1,068,041 to send the largest single shipment of care packages for U.S. troops in history.

”The drive was organized by the nation’s largest pro-troop organization, Move America Forward (website: http://www.MoveAmericaForward.org) - a pro-troop non-profit based out of Sacramento, California.

The telethon was hosted by Move America Forward Chairman, Melanie Morgan, and blogger, author, TV analyst, Michelle Malkin.

Guests included Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter, Lt. Col. Oliver North (Ret.), Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin, military families, families of fallen troops, troops based in Iraq & Afghanistan and the office of General David Petraeus.  President Bush and his wife, Laura, sent a letter of support that was read during the telethon.

The original goal for the care package drive was originally set for $500,000.  However, donations surpassed $500,000 in just the first few hours of the telethon.

The telethon was broadcast by http://www.UStream.tv

“We are elated by the response from the American people who stood up and proclaimed their support for our military men and women serving on the front lines of Iraq & Afghanistan,” said Melanie Morgan - Chairman of Move America Forward.

The care packages will be shipped from Sacramento, California on July 2, 2008.

Top Photo Courtesy of The White House
Lower Photo: Former First Lady Nancy Reagan delivers her remarks at the homeporting ceremony for USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif. (Photo Courtesy the Department of Defense)
Front Page: AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo