P&G, Walmart launch Operation Family Connect with USO's help

CINCINNATI — A consumer products giant and a big-box retailer are looking to connect deployed members of the U.S. military with their families during the holiday season, with help from the United Service Organizations.



Operation Family Connect, which will help families connect by bringing much-needed improvements to communications technology and resources overseas, was developed by Procter & Gamble and Walmart with the help from the USO. P&G and Walmart said their partnership with the USO will unite families by providing increased talk time for troops and families with prepaid phone cards, increasing the number of phones that are available, and with an improved satellite-based phone network at USO centers in Southwest Asia.



In line with the launch of Operation Family Connect, the program's website, Operationfamilyconnect.com will debut "Operation Family Connect: Road to Reunion," a series of six Web videos that follow the lives of three military families as they anticipate the return of their family members from Iraq.



"We are delighted to partner with P&G and Walmart this holiday season," said Sloan Gibson, president of the USO.  "And with the help of both companies, we were able to increase public awareness of USO programs, substantially improve the ability to provide family connection through talk time and continue our mission of lifting the spirits of our troops and their families around the world."



Operation Family Connect builds on P&G and Walmart's relationship.In April, the companies launched Family Movie Night, a series of made-for-TV movies for families to enjoy together.