Walgreens supports U.S. troops overseas

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday announced the company is donating nearly $400,000 worth of personal care items to the United Service Organizations to support operations in Landstuhl, Germany. The donation includes first aid items, toiletries, diapers and baby bottles, as well as coloring books, gum and playing cards.



The donation was shipped in late October and should arrive by Veterans Day, Walgreens noted.



The items will support the USO Warrior Center at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the nearest treatment center for wounded soldiers coming from Iraq and Afghanistan. The donation also will support other area USO centers in Ramstein and Stuttgart.



“We’re sending these necessities and well wishes to American troops and families overseas as a way to say ‘thank you’ for all that they do,” Walgreens community affairs director John Gremer said. “These items are products many need and use and we hope they’ll help make life a little easier.”



“USO Europe is honored to serve our nation’s service members as they deploy as well as welcome them home from combat zones,” USO Europe regional VP Walt Murren said. “This generous donation from Walgreens will further our mission of supporting our nation’s wounded warriors and bringing a touch of home to those who sacrifice so much.”



Walgreens has a long history of supporting American troops and veterans, from providing a store in the Pentagon beginning in the 1940s, to decades of donation and product drives, and extending company benefits to employees called to active service. Under the Walgreens military leave policy, employees called to active service receive their full salary, less military pay, for 42 months from the last day worked. In addition, they have the option of continuing medical, prescription and dental coverage at active employee rates.