Today we’re launching the USO’s Operation Front Lines; an all-out effort this summer to bring a touch of home to front lines around the world – by building a new USO center in Afghanistan; connecting more troops than ever to loved ones back home; sending thousands of care packages, providing USO2GO shipments to troops serving in remote locations, and more.

We need your help to make all that possible. That’s why we’re also launching a summer contest in support of this bold initiative, with the goal of raising $600,000 in six weeks. It’s a win-win situation. You get the chance to win a spectacular prize and the also the opportunity to give back to those brave men and women who defend our freedom.

We’ve got a lot to accomplish in a short period of time. Fortunately, Coca-Cola and NASCAR, two of the USO’s strongest partners, are stepping forward to launch our incredible contest and get this effort off to a roaring start.

By making your Operation Front Lines donation today, you’ll be supporting our troops on the front lines and you’ll also be entered for the chance to win the first in a series of great prizes we’ll be announcing this summer: a VIP all-access NASCAR experience at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Labor Day Weekend Race! Enter before midnight on June 30th (EST) for a chance to win a 5 day/4 night trip for you and a guest, including airfare and hotel accommodations to Atlanta, Ga., where you will: • Ride along with a NASCAR driver • Attend both the Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup Series • Go to an exclusive dinner with Team Coca-Cola drivers • Air transport provided by American Airlines, Official Airline of the USO • And much more

All of us here at the USO are excited about Operation Front Lines. We’ve set some ambitious goals for delivering support to our troops serving so far away from home, including the 100,000 troops expected to visit USO centers in Afghanistan this summer.

That’s why we’ve lined up three grand prizes to build excitement and energy – starting with the NASCAR package announced today and announcing the others over the next few weeks. With partners like Coca-Cola and NASCAR and friends like you, we’re confident we can make Operation Front Lines a dramatic success.

I hope you won’t miss this opportunity to be part of a truly incredible summer effort!