May 13, 2003 - Redmond, WA - TalkingRain Beverage Company and the Puget Sound Ford Motor Company dealerships will donate and deliver thousands of bottles of their co-branded Mountain Spring Water to the Puget Sound United Service Organizations (USO) in honor of Armed Forces Day, Vice President of Marketing Nina Morrison announced today.

Redmond-based Northwest Suites & Housing Services also donates four couches and four loveseats to replace well worn USO couches that have been on the floor at the Sea-Tac USO since 1966.

"We are pleased to honor our men and women in uniform with our donation today," Morrison said. "And we invite other manufacturers of quality beverages and individually wrapped snack foods to consider joining with us in our effort to express gratitude for their service and sacrifice on our behalf."

Dave Caple, president of Northwest Suites & Housing Services added, "Now, when the comforts of home are especially sweet, we hope our contribution of furniture will make a difference to all those that pass through the doors of the Puget Sound USO."

Puget Sound Executive Director Krista Cossalter Sandberg says that the USO is so much more than Bob Hope and World War II. It is alive and of service to military personnel today as it has since its launch in 1947 by President Truman, in 1966 at Sea-Tac, and in 1984 at McChord. The USO operates in times of peace and conflict, and members of the military need support year-round. Its purpose is to provide a home away from home for military personnel and their families and provide services, free of charge, in a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment.

The Sea-Tac and McChord USO offices served 118,675 military guests in 2002. Volunteers contributed 26,217 hours of service. Guests enjoyed 68,952 sandwiches, 93,360 bakery items, 82,088 cups of coffee, 1490 gallons of milk, and 7516 gallons of cold drinks.

"With the TalkingRain/Ford Motor Company dealership contribution today, the Puget Sound USO is in that much stronger position to quench the thirst of the many thousands of military guests it will serve this year," Cossalter Sandberg said. "And our guests will rest easier with the new furnishings so graciously donated by Northwest Suites & Housing Services."

USO Chairman Herb Bridge (local philanthropist and co-chairman of Ben Bridge Jewelers) holds a special place in his heart for the USO. He has been USO chairman for over 20 years and retired from the Navy as a USNR rear admiral after 42 years of active and reserve duty.

"When I was a sailor at the beginning of World War II, the USO and the people there meant the world to me. When our ship landed in San Francisco, I would go to the USO and find folks that really cared about me. There was always good food and some kind lady available to sew something for me or press my uniform. The volunteers would be the mothers and fathers for us, and they really appreciated what we were doing for our country. Still today, there is a wonderful cadre of volunteers, young and old, and they make the kids feel so at home.

"The military has changed a lot over the years. We were all young bachelors. Now many are married with kids, many are broke, and they need a warm, comfortable place to stay while they wait for their flights. Because their planes don't leave for many hours later, we have places where they can bed down for a while, rather than sleeping in a cold airport waiting area. The USO puts into practical being what our sentiments are, to help these young people, and to let us know we appreciate them."

The USO is a United Way agency, and individuals and businesses can designate the USO as the beneficiary of their United Way donations. The USO is a 501-C3 non-profit organization, operating entirely on donations. Call the USO at 206-246-1914, or send email to usopsa1@aol.com. Or, send donation checks to the USO, Puget Sound area, main terminal, second floor, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Seattle, WA 98158.

The mission of TalkingRain Beverage Company is to develop and market quality beverage products in unique packaging for calorie-conscious consumers. For additional information about new TalkingRain Sparkling Water with Juice and the company's other fine products, visit www.talkingrain.com.

Headquartered in Redmond, Washington and launched in 1988, Northwest Suites & Housing Services serves as a preferred corporate housing provider to Microsoft, Amazon, Washington Mutual, and others. High profile, seasonal clients such as the Seattle Mariners, the Seattle Storm, the Seattle Seahawks, and The Village Theatre also entrust their interim housing needs exclusively to Northwest Suites & Housing Services. Northwest Suites & Housing Services provides "All the Comforts of Home™" in the Northwest and around the world by offering thousands of unique housing selections that blend the comforts of living at home with the amenities and services clients need to make their stays comfortable, productive, and rewarding, all at a price that makes good business sense. Northwest Suites & Housing Services also provides furniture rental and purchase, full time rental assistance, and international settling-in services.

TalkingRain Photo Caption:
TalkingRain employee Noe Mujo loads thousands of bottles of TalkingRain/Ford Motor Company Mountain Spring Water in preparation for a trip to the Sea-Tac USO office. The company is donating the beverages in celebration of Armed Forces Day, May 17.

Northwest Suites & Housing Services Photo Caption:
Northwest Suites & Housing Services employees Brian Leitch (left) and Adi Cira (right) load couches and loveseats onto a truck destined for delivery to the Sea-Tac USO. These furnishings will replace couches that have been on the USO floor since 1966 and recovered no less than four times. The donation is being made to celebrate Armed Forces Day, May 17.

Contact: Karen Bruhn, 425.836.9828, k.bruhn@verizon.net

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