Operation Ranger Now Accepting 2008 Applications

Deadline for first-responders seeking utility vehicles is December 28, 2007
http://www.ustinc.com/corp_giving/operation.asp 

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company is now accepting applications for 2008
Polaris Ranger 6x6 utility vehicles through its Operation Ranger program. Click here
to download an application form. Applications and all supporting materials
must be postmarked by Friday, December 28, 2007 to be considered. The Operation
Ranger Committee will begin reviewing submitted applications in February 2008
and hopes to begin announcing award recipients in the spring. While the final
funding level has not yet been determined, the company hopes to award
approximately 65-75 vehicles throughout 2008. Rangers are awarded through an open,
competitive application process. Award criteria can be easily deduced from the
application form itself, which now can be downloaded as a form that applicants
may fill out on a computer and mail back to the company. Please continue to
check this website for program updates. We thank you for your interest in U.S.
Smokeless Tobacco Company's Operation Ranger Program.

Our Commitment

The U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Operation Ranger Program  awards rugged,
off-road utility vehicles to our nation's emergency responders. To date, 330
vehicles have been awarded across all 50 states. Continued program funding is
subject to the approval of our Corporate Contributions Committee and it can be
expanded, reduced or eliminated at any time. The Operation Ranger program
exists both to recognize the service of our nation's emergency responders and to
provide a versatile, practical vehicle that will enhance emergency response
capability at the community level. We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of
Polaris Industries, the National Volunteer Fire Council and the many vehicle
recipient agencies that have helped us shape this signature program since its
inception as a pilot program in late 2002. For more information on the program,
please call the Operation Ranger information line at (203) 817-3368.