12/21/04
CHANTILLY, VA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 12/21/2004 -- TVWorldwide.com (www.tvworldwide.com ), a fast-growing web-based global TV network, announced that in cooperation with Operation Interdependence®, it will webcast live over the Internet, a program to raise awareness of Operation Interdependence's® "civilian-to-military delivery system®." Dubbed "Real People Sending Real Care Packages to Real Heroes™," the webcast on TV Worldwide's Internet TV Channel for Veterans, USVets.TV (www.USVets.TV), will highlight Operation Interdependence's® "Christmas Rush" and ongoing effort to provide America's deployed troops with civilian supplies and messages of support from home. The live webcast will begin today, Tuesday, December 21st, at 1PM ET and will be archived for later viewing for a full year.
Although support from home is welcome all during the year, gifts of civilian supplies and messages of support are especially appreciated during the holiday season. Operation Interdependence® (www.OIDelivers.com) invites sponsors to supply civilian rations®, groups or individual volunteers to process the donations, write letters and messages from home, and funds for its operations.
"Our TV Worldwide staff takes great pride in producing this broadcast for Americans around the world," noted Dave Gardy, Chairman and CEO of TVWorldwide.com. "We are pleased to have the opportunity to offer our support to the brave men and women currently deployed around the world protecting our nation's freedom and democracy."
The event will feature representatives of Operation Interdependence® and volunteers who will discuss the organization's efforts that have recently garnered national media attention.
People planning to participate in the live Internet broadcast on Tuesday, December 21, 2004, should tune in online at www.usvets.tv or www.tvworldwide.com at 12:45PM ET and have the free Windows Media Player installed prior to the event. Questions during the live pre-show can be directed to 703-961-9250, ext 220.
The webcast will also feature interviews recorded at Manassas, Virgninia, airport, near Washington DC, on a stop-over during Operation Interdependence's® Christmas Rush tour. During one interview, Operation Interdependence® founder, retired Chief Warrant Officer Albert R. Renteria, describes how the organization works. He formulated the idea for the organization during a tour of duty in the Gulf War. As part of his responsibilities, he was charged with the task of supporting the requirement to assign personnel to receive and distribute "civilian care donations" (goods donated by civilians and U. S. companies, for use by individuals stationed abroad). While supporting this requirement, he was exposed to the challenges of dividing and delivering these items to individuals, without compromising the manpower required for the particular mission's needs.
Caitlin Cross, Youth Volunteer of the Year for Operation Interdependence®, also speaks in an interview about the organization. At stops on the tour she presented US Marines with dolls representing fallen soldiers for them to use in their Toys for Tots campaign or to give to surviving family members.
Drew Ryan also provides a testimonial interview for the organization. As a Commander of one of the first elements to arrive in Iraq, he and his troops had only what they could carry on their back so conditions were very austere. Within weeks they started receiving boxes from Operation Interdependence® that contained 50 individual quart-sized plastic bags containing small easily carried items such as candy, gum, toothpaste, playing cards, pens and notepads -- things that made life easier for the soldiers. But they most appreciated the notes of support in the packets. He said about the "notes to any soldier" that, "it's those kinds of connections that get you through the tough times." Ryan was so impressed with the organization that he volunteered upon his return.
Drew Ryan will be on-hand in the studio for the webcast and founder Albert Renteria will participate via telephone along with other invited guests. During the webcast an attempt will be made to talk live with some of our troops in Iraq and find out first hand how much they value support from the people back home.
About Operation Interdependence®
Operation Interdependence® is the premier civilian-to-military delivery system® that provides a means for Americans to demonstrate their support of our deployed military forces by supplying them with the everyday items they miss. It is the only such care package delivery system that is secured and logistically sound. Most people are not aware that sending packages and messages to military troops can cause logistics and security problems for the military, detract from the mission and possibly bog down in the system and never reach the troops. Operation Interdependence® works with the military supply system, to expedite care packages to America's deployed men and women. The organization is seeking corporate sponsors, individuals and groups to supply items such as videos, games, magazines, grooming aids, and sports clippings as well as letters and messages from home. Operation Interdependence® serves as a clearinghouse for other organizations where volunteers inspect, pack and ship the civilian rations® that let America's deployed men and women know they have support from home. For more information or to join the organization's vital mission visit their website www.oidelivers.org. Since launching in December 2001, OI® has delivered over 500,000 c-rats® WITHOUT impacting military resources.
About USVets.tv
The veterans channel is dedicated to all United States veterans of all services and their families. TVWorldwide.com and the channel sponsors would like to salute America's veterans. We owe a debt of gratitude to these brave men and women whose sacrifices have preserved our freedom and protected national interests around the world. This internet channel, which can be found at www.usvets.tv, features articles and streaming video of interest to veterans and their families as well as information on relevant legislation.
About TVWorldwide.com Inc.
As a leading global Internet broadcasting and streaming media company, TV Worldwide (www.tvworldwide.com) is developing a network of video channels that is an affiliation of community-based Internet television stations, each underwritten by a strategic partner, "aimcasting(SM)" to targeted demographic audiences worldwide. TVWorldwide.com works with strategic partners to develop the latest in live and archived state-of-the art video streaming content applications. . TVWorldwide.com was recently named one of the streaming video industry's "Hottest Streaming Companies" by Streaming Magazine, www.streamingmagazine.com, and CEO Dave Gardy was honored by the magazine as one of the 50 Most Influential People in Streaming Media. Mr. Gardy also currently serves as President of the International Webcasting Association (IWA), www.Webcasters.org.