LAX COMMUNITY RELATIONS DIVISION HOSTS “LUNCH WITH OUR HEROES”
AT BOB HOPE USO -- A SALUTE TO OUR SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN --
(Los Angeles, California – July 1, 2014) With support from local businesses and service organizations, Los Angeles International Airport’s (LAX) Community Relations Division will host “Lunch with Our Heroes” on Tuesday, July 1, in anticipation of the Independence Day holiday. The event, coordinated for 200 military families, will be held outside of the Bob Hope USO at LAX, across from Terminal 2 on the lower/arrivals level, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
With thousands of troops arriving and using the Bob Hope USO at LAX yearly, also known as “their home, away from home,” LAX’s Community Relations Division will commemorate the upcoming Fourth of July holiday by providing soldiers arriving that afternoon with lunch and care packages.
“This event illustrates the enormous and consistent support the USO has throughout the LAX community—including our local chambers of commerce, Rotary Clubs, airport employees, and airport tenants,” said LAWA Deputy Executive Director David Shuter, a retired Marine with 31 years in the Corps.
“We appreciate the warmth and support from LAX’s Community Relations Division our community partners,” said Barbara Musella, USO Manager. “Their kindness strengthens our mission to provide a “safe haven” for our troops and their families.”
In addition to sponsorships, volunteers from the Rotary Clubs of Inglewood and Westchester will assist soldiers with tagging their luggage for identification purposes and checking-in. Volunteers from the Westchester club include Rotary veterans. Following lunch, soldiers normally go sight-seeing to Santa Monica, Venice, or Westchester and return to the USO before their departure flight later that evening.
The USO is a nonprofit, congressionally chartered, private organization, whose mission is to lift the spirits of American troops and their families. The USO at LAX, located in the middle of the airport’s Central Terminal Area, offers a variety of services--at no charge-- such as a snack bar; library; computer center; family room; recliners for naps in-between flights/overnight stay; luggage storage area; and restrooms/showers. On average, more than 69,000 troops and their families visit the Bob Hope USO at LAX annually. LAX is a huge supporter of the USO, it provides office space, maintenance support throughout the year, and is among the list of supporters in their annual golf tournament.
“Lunch with Our Heroes” was made possible by the contributions of the following donors:
- LAWA Association of Airport Employees (AAE);
- Inglewood/Airport Area Chamber of Commerce (IAACC) including Faithful Central Bible Church; Delian Music; South Bay West Investment Board; McCormick Mortuary; Carol Raines-Brown, IUSD Board Member; Southern California Edison; and Wise Tire & Brake Co.;
- Rotary Clubs of El Segundo, Inglewood, and Westchester; Togo’s in Westchester;
- Culver City Chamber of Commerce and LAWA employees and tenants
Bob Hope USO at LAX
For many troops and their families arriving at the airport, the Bob Hope USO is a welcoming “safe haven.” Open 24 hours, 7 days a week, the USO is located on the lower/arrivals level across from the roadway and Terminal 2. The nonprofit organization relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations, and corporations to support its activities.
About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
LAX is the sixth busiest airport in the world and third in the United States, based on 2012 worldwide rankings (the latest available). LAX offers 680 daily flights to 96 cities in the U.S. and 933 weekly nonstop flights to 57 cities in 34 countries on 59 commercial air carriers. LAX ranks 14th in the world and fifth in the U.S. in air cargo tonnage processed, with over 1.9 million tons of air cargo valued at over $86.9 billion. An economic study in 2011 reported that operations at LAX generated 294,400 jobs in Los Angeles County with labor income of $13.6 billion and economic output of more than $39.7 billion. This activity added $2.5 billion to local and state revenues. LAX is part of a system of three Southern California airports – along with LA/Ontario International and Van Nuys general aviation – that are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles that receives no funding from the City’s general fund.
LAX Community Relations Division
LAX Community Relations Division develops and implements ongoing community outreach programs designed to optimize effective two-way communications with various publics. A key focus of the division is establishing programs and services that address the needs and concerns of surrounding airport communities through opportunities such as youth programs, aviation education, speakers bureau, and community and civic participation. In addition, the division handles liaison activities with community-based organizations and oversees public agency-private industry partnerships.
As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request.
