Hot Air TV alert: From the Frontlines web-a-thon, June 26

posted at 12:40 pm on June 20, 2008 by Michelle
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Just six more days ’til the awesome event I told you about over Memorial Day weekend. “From the Frontlines” is a joint project of Melanie Morgan’s Move America Forward, UStream.TV, and Hot Air. On June 26, from 4pm Eastern/1pm Pacific to 12midnight Eastern/9pm Pacific, Melanie and I will be anchoring a livestreamed, 8-hour fund-raising “web-a-thon” to send the largest number of care packages to our troops overseas in U.S. history. We’ve got a star-studded line-up participating in this effort to support our military, including Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Laura Ingraham, Dr Laura Schlessinger, Ollie North, Monica Crowley, Ann Coulter, Nancy Reagan, actor Kelsey Grammer, and Five for Fighting’s John Ondrasik. You’ll be able to tune it at Hot Air and on UStream, embed the broadcast on your own blogs, and even catch some of the show on your radio dial if you’re lucky to be in the listening area of a radio station partner.

You can purchase care packages right now, right here, in advance of the web-a-thon. Buy early and often! MAF has raised over $200,000 in advance of the telethon. Our goal is $500,000.

The tireless Melanie Morgan got the ball rolling a few months ago during an e-mail exchange we were having about the untapped synergies between radio, grass-roots conservative activism, and the Internet. I introduced her to Brad Hunstable at UStream and things took off like a rocket. The MAF team has amazing organizational skills and boundless energy; UStream’s staff has also gone above and beyond in making the program happen. I’m honored to play a small part in this unprecedented event and can’t wait for you to join us for an unforgettable day. Mark your calendars, tell your friends, and be sure to tune in.

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Catherine Moy of MAF has more:

Thousands of Americans have already sponsored packages through MAF’s website and a giant database of names and addresses of U.S. troops in Iraq & Afghanistan is being built—so that the packages can reach our military men and women in time for the 4th of July holiday. MAF would like all families with loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan to send addresses and names to ensure all troops benefit from the overwhelming support of a grateful nation, Morgan said.

Local businesses have stepped up for the cause. Sacramento-based coffee roaster, Cornerstone Coffee, is a principal supplier of the coffee included in the care packages. And the old Travelodge hotel on 11th & H donated offices used for preparing the care packages prior to shipping. The Travelodge has been refurbished into the new work/loft office complex known as “Retrolodge.”

The Fairfield-based Jelly Belly Co., which makes the gourmet Jelly Belly beans made famous by President Ronald Reagan, has donated 100,000 bags of their gourmet jelly beans that will be included in the care packages to assist in the effort.

“This effort has stuck a nerve with people from across the nation and here in Sacramento,” Morgan said. “I am personally ecstatic about the love the American people have for our troops.”

Families of troops have already sent thankful notes to MAF, explaining how the men and women on the frontlines of the war against radical Islam appreciate every note, every package from home.

Jeff Via Sr., a Vietnam veteran, sent the address of his son, who is serving in Afghanistan.

“Thanks so much for the support. He graduated from college and decided that the military was what he wanted to do. He didn’t even go in to be an officer. He decided instead to be enlisted first so that, if and when he decides to go be an officer, he will know what it was like to be enlisted,” Via Sr. said. “Once again, thanks for the support. I know from experience how much it means to the troops.”

Roger Quarton is a minister whose son is fighting for the United States.

“My son is serving with the Marines in Iraq, and I’d like to pass along his address to you, so he might be able to receive a package,” Quarton wrote.” “I know it would be a huge “pick-me-up’ for him and his buddies! Thanks for your help and encouragement to him, and myself!”

…Sacramento residents who want to donate items or make a financial contribution to the care package drive can do so by emailing Ryan Gill at Ryan@MoveAmericaForward.org (Move America Forward is accepting coffee, cookies, beef jerky, Gatorade, lip balm, sunblock, insect repellant, foot powder, personal fans, and wet wipes for the care packages).

Residents should send names and addresses of troops to Poohdo@aol.com.

Mel talked to Radio Equalizer’s Brian Maloney about the talk radio giants who will be joining us.

So many folks and groups are pitching in. We’re grateful to each and every one of them.

Among them:

*Eagles Up is helping with the care packages and working on including phone cards.
*The Office of General David Petraeus
*Former US Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton
* Human Events, NR/NRO, Pajamas Media, Townhall, WorldNetDaily, American Thinker
*Vets for Freedom, Operation Care & Comfort, Gathering of Eagles, Gold Star/Blue Star parents
*Band of Mothers
*And many, many more

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