North Dakota AMVETS
www.tristateveterans.com/ndamvets

Operation DVD is underway now in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Hi, I am Jan Jorgensen, Commander of AMVETS Post 7 in Fargo, bringing Operation DVD to the area. This is a program started by AMVETS National out of Columbus, OH. to do something really good for our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Boxes are being set up all over the area to collect DVD's both for adults and children- the DVD's for adults will be shipped to soldiers overseas while the children's DVD's will be sent to the soldiers families here in the states. Each one of these boxes holds 200 DVDs and I know this community can do it. Once the box is full I call DHL, the shipping company, who will come to the place of business or school to take the box away.

Operation DVD has been going on for months on the East and West coast. I just happen to be the lucky one who saw the information on it at the AMVETS National website. I also am the only contact right now for the Plains states and Midwest.
I need your help to get people interested in taking a box to their business or school so we have more drop sites for the DVD's.
If interested in helping out call me at 261-8427.

Jan Jorgensen

See additional information below.

Current Box Locations

Operation DVD is an official program of AMVETS (American Veterans), a nationally chartered veteran organization for over 60 years. The program's concept began in May of this year when an Army sergeant came home on leave to Augusta, Kansas and said he wanted some DVD's to take back to Baghdad. He mentioned it to his pastor and the program took off. It officially started in October on the East coast and has been going strong on both coasts ever since. I started working with it in early November. 

The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan can no longer play softball, baseball games or other outdoor activities because of the danger. They are constantly targeted by snipers, mines, bombs and other terrorist activities. Entertainment for our sailors, airmen, soldiers and Marines is difficult as they must stay in their reinforced recreation buildings equipped with televisions and DVD players.

"Watching DVDs provides a safe, wonderful diversion and good memories of home," one of the news releases reads.
AMVETS Operation DVD is also partnering with both the USO and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. DVDs will be distributed to Troops in audiences of USO tours!

 
AMVETS, Operation DVD facts:
Libraries of DVDs will be established at all bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Our goal is one million plus new and used DVDs donated by the American public.
Most bases have recreation buildings with televisions and DVD players. These facilities are similar to those found on ships. Our troops often have portable DVD players or are able to check them out for use as one would check out a book from a library.
The goal is to have DVD libraries set up with a minimum of 200-250 titles available to the troops.
"Children's Titles" donated will be distributed to Service member's families stateside through the Family Readiness Group with the help of AMVETS.

Where should folks donate their DVD's?
White boxes with bold writing on them saying OperationDVD.us can be seen throughout F-M.
Local drop sites are scattered throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area such as;
All SunMart and Hornbachers grocery stores, any Veteran organization including the AMVETS Post on 1st Ave. S. in Fargo as well as the VFW's, and American Legion, VA Hospital, YMCA, Teamsters, Luther Buick and Ford, Corwin Toyota and Honda, Kallod Carpet, Island Park Cycles, local schools including Fargo North and South high schools, Minnesota State University-Moorhead, Orthopedic Associates and Hair Success Salon on 32nd Ave. in Fargo.
 
What kinds of movies?
Mysteries, comedy, drama, action, thrillers or  movies for children to be shipped to Family Readiness Support Groups. DVD's that depict violence against people's religion or "adult" (porn) will not be accepted.
 
CD's with music will be also appreciated.
No VHS tapes- they do not hold up well in the heat and dust and weigh too much to ship.
 
Can I donate money instead?
You can send a monetary donation to: AMVETS, Operation DVD, 1395 E. Dublin-Granville #222, Columbus, OH.43229
 
The goal is 1 million DVDs to be sent overseas.
 
Drop boxes will be shipped to Palm Springs, sorted and then sent to Iraq and Afghanistan. Each drop box will hold 200 DVDs!
 
Folks can contact me- Jan Jorgensen, Commander of AMVETS Post 7, at 701-261-8427 if they are interested in sponsoring a collection box or would like one at their business or school.
 
Thank you.
 

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