** 8-Hour Jerry Lewis Style Telethon This Thursday – June 26th
(SAN FRANCISCO) – An All-Star lineup of celebrities & patriotic leaders are teaming up to support a pro-troop organization’s effort to send the largest shipment of care packages to U.S. troops in history. Names like Rush Limbaugh, Oliver North, Ann Coulter, Former First Lady Nancy Reagan, Actor Kelsey Grammer, Comedian Jackie Mason, Sean Hannity, G. Gordon Liddy and Former UN Ambassador John Bolton.
The care package drive is a project of the nation’s largest pro-troop organization, Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org). The effort will be highlighted by an unprecedented live 8-hour Internet video broadcast called “From the Front Lines” – a ‘web-a-thon’ that will take place this Thursday, June 26, 2008 [4:00pm – Midnight Eastern // 1:00pm – 9:00pm Pacific]. The Jerry Lewis-style telethon will be co-hosted by Move America Forward Chairman, Melanie Morgan, and blogger, author and TV analyst, Michelle Malkin.
On Tuesday, June 24th nationally syndicated talk radio giant, Rush Limbaugh, promoted the effort on his radio show and embraced the concept of using new media to rally Americans behind the noble cause of supporting our military men and women serving overseas.
“It has been wonderful to see how fast these patriotic leaders and celebrities were in committing to join this effort. Despite the hot, lazy summer days, support for this drive to send a historic shipment of care packages to our troops has snowballed into an unprecedented show of love for our military men and women,” said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.
“Everyday I thank G-d for these wonderful, brave kids who sacrifice themselves for this great country we love. These men and women are the best soldiers in the world and their work to preserve peace and to protect freedom should never go unappreciated,” said comedian Jackie Mason.
“I have seen first hand how appreciative they are with the care packages I have sent them during this war. They go out of their way to thank me and tell me how much it meant to them. I wish they only knew how grateful I am of their service and how I wish I could do more. That is why I am participating, along with other grateful Americans in this web-a-thon, so as a proud nation, we can show our support for the best Americans we have, our troops,” Mason continued.
“U.S. troops are winning the war on terror on the front lines of Iraq & Afghanistan, yet all we see on the TV news and from the politicians in Washington, D.C. is constant criticism and second-guessing,” said nationally syndicated talk radio host, Mark Levin.
“ It’s time to show our troops that the American people recognize the success they have been achieving and thank them for their service to this nation. Let’s flood them with care packages and notes of love and support from the home front - they more than deserve it!” said Levin.
Among those who have signed on to support the effort (most of whom will also appear on Thursday’s “From the Front Lines” Internet telethon) are the following:
-----------------------------------
(SACRAMENTO) – A historic “candy diplomacy” program has been launched by a Sacramento-based pro-troop organization that will provide U.S. Troops with 100,000 bags of the popular Jelly Belly gourmet jelly beans for distribution to the children and people of Iraq and Afghanistan.
The delicious candy treats made famous by Ronald Reagan are being sent over as additions to care packages for our troops, as part of a program called “Candy Diplomacy.” The innovative program is the result of a partnership between the nation’s largest pro-troop organization, Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org ), and the Fairfield, California-based Jelly Belly Candy Company (website: www.JellyBelly.com).
This effort is in conjunction with Move America Forward’s current push to send the largest single shipment of care packages to U.S. troops in history.
Commenting about the benefits of the new “Candy Diplomacy” program, Nancy Reagan said of her husband, “he would often break the ice in meetings by passing around his jar of Jelly Bellys. It had a way of putting a smile on everyone’s face and putting them in the mod to work cooperatively. I know the Iraqi and Afghani people will feel the warmth and goodness of the American people when they get to try these treats.”
Each 2 oz. bag of gourmet jelly beans (which include the favorite flavors of Iraqi and Afghani children) has the following message printed in both English and Arabic: