Project to send movies to overseas military personnel

The goal is to collect one million-plus new and used DVDs to send to Iraq.
AMVETS, a nationally chartered veterans organization, and the Motion Picture Hall of Fame have created Operation DVD, a new effort to provide safe entertainment for United States military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Because of snipers, mines, bombs and other terrorist activities, even baseball and softball games are no longer possible, said J.P. Brown of Youngstown.
Brown, AMVETS national 2nd vice commander and former Ohio AMVETS commander, said Operation DVD is an appeal to Americans to donate new and used DVDs, which will be shipped to the nation's fighting men and women overseas.
The goal of Operation DVD is one million-plus new and used DVDs, Brown said.
"Entertaining the men and women of our armed services overseas has been the highlight of my professional career. We need to get the country behind it," said entertainer Wayne Newton, Operation DVD's honorary spokesman.
Films for children
Children's titles donated will be distributed to servicemen's families stateside through the Family Readiness Group of the National Guard, with the assistance of AMVETS.
In addition, Operation DVD is partnering with the United Service Organizations and the Boys & amp; Girls Clubs of America.
DVDs will be distributed to troops in audiences of USO tours, and children's DVDs will be provided to Boys & amp; Girls Clubs located on military bases around the world, Brown said.
Organizations or businesses that want to provide drop-off sites for Operation DVD may contact Brown at (330) 726-2552.
Though Operation DVD is being announced near the holiday season, it will be a year-round program, Brown said.
People may mail DVDs or monetary donations to: Operation DVD, Box 1300, Palm Springs, Calif. 92263-1300. They can also find out how to donate DVDs by going to the Web site www.OperationDVD.us.
Money is needed to complete purchase of the 100,000 collection boxes that will be located across the nation.
Also, monetary donations will be used to buy portable DVD players in bulk to provide to the troops, Brown said.
The Motion Picture Hall of Fame, an organization dedicated to the preservation and memory of the best in the motion picture industry, will donate a one-year membership in the Hall of Fame to anyone who donates to Operation DVD.