OREANDA-NEWS. In observance of Memorial Day, active-duty, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Marines and National Guard members recently returned from deployment in Afghanistan and USO representatives joined Lenovo volunteers today to assemble Rack Packs for active military in North Carolina.

Lenovo, in partnership with and to benefit the USO North Carolina RDU Center, hosted its 4th annual USO supply drive this week during which employees donated travel-sized personal care items for active military. The volunteer team spent Thursday afternoon assembling over 1,600 Rack Packs filled with the donated items for deployed U.S. troops returning to and deploying from North Carolina.

“In the past year, more than 200 Lenovo employees have volunteered time to support our troops,” said Jay Parker, president of Lenovo North America. “Lenovo is committed to supporting our U.S. military and their families, and we are very proud of this opportunity to give back to those who put their lives on the line for us.”

In the courtyard of Lenovo’s Morrisville campus, a pre-production military Humvee, the Panther, was on display. The Panther is a prototype Humvee shell with upgraded engines and suspensions, and a turbo-charged 800 horsepower engine. The Panther has been referred to as “having a racecar under the hood” of a tactical military vehicle. This particular Humvee is currently being tested by the U.S. Military before deployment to active duty. The Panther Humvee is designed specifically for special operations of the military, to enable a fast “in and out” of critical areas.

Also on display was a Bell UH-1 Iroquois (commonly known as the "Huey") series helicopter was on display, courtesy of the U.S. Veterans Corp and the North Carolina Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. This series of helicopter has served on missions from Vietnam to Desert Storm.

“We are thrilled to partner with the USO RDU Center again this year another outstanding event, and look forward to collaborating with them for future events in support of our U.S. troops,” said Parker. “It means a lot to our employees, many of whom are veterans themselves.”

Lenovo is proud to be a technology sponsor for the USO of NC. In addition to supporting their family reading initiatives, homecomings and holiday celebrations, Lenovo has created Media Centers for the USO at RDU and throughout North Carolina, and in Washington, DC.

This May, Lenovo partnered with Fort Bragg, the Carolina Panthers and the USO of North Carolina to host a Play 60 football camp for elementary school children on-base. Following the camp, soldiers, players and their adult family members attended a panel discussion focused on health and safety issues.

In addition, Lenovo and Kramden Institute partnered with Marine Corps Air Station Cherry to host its first Give-A-Thon to benefit school-aged children of personnel stationed at the base, during which computers were awarded to 75 hard-working, deserving students who did not have access to a computer at home.