WASHINGTON – Congressman Larry Kissell (NC-08) took time out of his Congressional schedule Wednesday to help assemble USO Care Packages for female service members deployed overseas as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The event was part of Operation USO Care Package for Women at the U.S. Capitol Building.

“I commend the USO for all they do to support our brave men and women serving our country. As the holidays approach and many of our courageous troops are facing time away from their families, it is important to bring a little piece of home to them,” Kissell said. “It was an honor to be able to help. I’d like to remind folks back home that we have a great North Carolina USO program always in need of folks who want to help. I encourage folks to reach out and help the troops travelling through our district this holiday season.”

Started in 2001, Operation USO Care Package was developed to provide troops deployed overseas with needed items from home such as shaving kits, playing cards and calling cards. Since the inception, the USO has distributed more than 1.8 million care packages to troops. Recently, there has been an increased demand for care packages specifically tailored to the needs of female troops.