Pensacola, Fla. — The Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Pensacola Class of 2012 announces Operation Hope, a class project to renovate the USO Flight Deck Lounge at the Pensacola International Airport and The Hangar at NAS Pensacola.
“We are proud to be the first Leadership Pensacola class to select a project that supports the armed services,” said David Tuyo, project coordinator. “We can never repay the men and women in uniform for all of the sacrifices that they have made, but Operation Hope will create spaces that will help them feel comfortable in our community.”
The military is vital part of Pensacola’s heritage and economy. With a $5.1 billion impact on the Pensacola economy, the Department of Defense is the largest economic engine in the greater Pensacola area. The USO Flight Deck Lounge at the Pensacola International Airport has more than 30,000 visitors per year and is the first impression many of these service members have of Pensacola. The Hanger averages more than 54,000 visits annually from troops at NAS Pensacola.
A nonprofit, congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities. The USO is not part of the U.S. government, but is recognized by the Department of Defense, Congress and President of the United States, who serves as Honorary Chairman of the USO.
“We are excited and thrilled to be partnered with Leadership Pensacola,” said Heidi Blair, director of the USO of Northwest Florida. “The improvements made at our USO's will directly benefit our nation's heroes.”
Anticipated renovations to the space include expansion, updated electrical infrastructure, new furnishings and surfaces. Scheduled completion is May 2012.
Donations to the project are tax deductible and may be made payable to Leadership Pensacola, 117 West Garden Street, Pensacola, Fla., 32502. For additional information on this project, please visit www.pensacolachamber.com/operationhope.
About Leadership Pensacola
Leadership Pensacola, a 501(c)(3), was founded in the fall of 1982 with the first graduating class in 1983. The Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce established the program with a goal of ensuring the community's pool of talented leaders would be continually renewed. For more information, call the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce at 850.438.4081.
To date, more than 1100 people have completed the Leadership Pensacola program and have acquired the skills, passion and connections to work effectively as community trustees. For additional information about Leadership Pensacola, please visit www.pensacolachamber.com/LeaP.
About the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1889, the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce's primary goal is to create a climate of growth and success in the community. Through five focus areas, membership, economic development, government and community affairs, armed services and tourism, the Chamber is committed to promoting, improving and enhancing the Pensacola Bay Area through responsible unity of private and public sectors.
In 2010, the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce launched the Vision 2015 initiative, the five-year plan for job creation in the Pensacola Bay Area. Vision 2015 focuses on recruiting new businesses, helping local businesses expand and strengthening the partnerships between the military and the private sector. For more information, visit www.pensacolachamber.com. |
