LAX EMPLOYEES DONATE 2,000 PERSONAL-CARE ITEMS FOR TROOPS, FAMILIES AT BOB HOPE HOLLYWOOD USO
(Los Angeles – December 2, 2016) Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) officials recently delivered more than 2,000 travel-size personal-care items to the Bob Hope Hollywood USO at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The items are on the USO’s long-standing “Wish List” and LAWA conducted a three-week drive last month to collect donations. The items are distributed to military personnel and their families, who stop by the USO center to enjoy a “Touch of Home” while passing through LAX.
The donations are timely as more than 93,000 troops and military family members are expected to visit the state-of-the-art facility this year – nearly eight percent higher than last year and matching the growth of LAX’s record-breaking passenger levels. Of more than 160 USO centers around the world, the Bob Hope Hollywood USO at LAX is only one of six that operates 24 hours a day, including holidays.
“Los Angeles World Airports employees want to thank and show our appreciation for the tremendous sacrifice U.S. military personnel and their families make to keep us all safe,” said Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners Vice-President Valeria Velasco. “We also want to express how much we value our partnership with the USO as they help our staff provide an LAXceptional experience to a very important group of airport guests.”
Collection bins for LAX employees were placed in three LAWA administration buildings last month, and local organizations such as the Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport, and the Rotary Club of Inglewood also contributed. This was the second year the LAX Community Relations team organized the collection drive and 25 percent
more items were donated than last year. Donated items include soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, mouthwash, shaving cream, toothbrushes, sunscreen, deodorant, cotton swabs, and body and foot powder, as well as snacks.
“We appreciate the support and generosity of airport employees,” said Jill Villalpando,
USO Center Manager. “The USO considers itself a welcomed and cherished member of the airport family.”
LAWA Deputy Executive Director for Facilities, Maintenance and Utilities Group David Shuter (U.S. Marine Corps retired brigadier general) said, “Many troops and their families regularly face rigorous travel conditions and long airport layovers that their duties demand. They count upon LAX’s centrally-located USO center to serve as a free and comfortable place to rest and eat while traveling.”
LAWA is also currently installing durable wood laminate flooring to replace worn carpet tiles throughout the 3,600-square-foot facility -- creating a sustainable, more aesthetically pleasing and relaxing environment for USO visitors.
For video interview clips, visit https://lawa.box.com/s/7ckyh3emhk4k2m008ivfxvqz5w4prynj
About Bob Hope Hollywood USO/LAX
The state-of-the-art USO center, located on the Lower/Arrivals Level across from Terminal 2, is open 24 hours daily, including holidays. Military personnel and their families may take advantage of many free services including: snack bar, big-screen TV lounge with extensive DVD library, Internet computer center, Disney-inspired family room, nap room, luggage storage, men’s and women’s restrooms and showers, outdoor patio and barbeque, and displays of memorabilia of famed comedian and USO entertainer Bob Hope. The nonprofit organization relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations, and corporations to support its activities. For further information, visit www.bobhopeuso.org.
About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
LAX is the seventh busiest airport in the world and third in the United States. LAX served more than 74.9 million passengers in 2015. LAX offers 742 daily nonstop flights to 101 cities in the U.S. and 1,273 weekly nonstop flights to 76 cities in 41 countries on 64 commercial air carriers. LAX ranks 14th in the world and fifth in the U.S. in air cargo tonnage processed, with more than 2.1 million tons of air cargo valued at over $101.4 billion. LAX handled 655,564 operations (landings and takeoffs) in 2015.
An economic study based on 2014 operations reported LAX generated 620,610 jobs in Southern California with labor income of $37.3 billion and economic output (business revenues) of more than $126.6 billion. This activity added $6.2 billion to local and state revenues and $8.7 billion in federal tax revenues. The study also reported that LAX’s ongoing capital-improvement program creates an additional 121,640 annual jobs with labor income of $7.6 billion and economic output of $20.3 billion, $966 million in state and local taxes, and $1.6 billion in federal tax revenues.
LAX is part of a system of two Southern California airports – along with 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.
For more information about LAX, please visit www.lawa.aero/lax or follow on Twitter @flyLAXAirport, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LAInternationalAirport , and on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/laxairport1 . Information about LAX’s ongoing multi-billion-dollar LAX Modernization Program, as well as tips and shortcuts to help navigate LAX during construction, are available at www.LAXisHappening.com .
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.
