John Evenson, President and Tournament Chairman with Brigadier General Ricahrd Zilmer, Commanding General, Marine Corps Air Ground/Combat Center and Marine Corps Air/Ground Task Force Training Command

LA QUINTA -- The USO is among 40 charities that will benefit from the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. John Evenson, tournament president and chairman of the 2005 event, said that $80,000 is being donated by the tournament to the USO through its charitable arm, Desert Classic Charities.

The contribution will be made to the USO Operation Phone Home program to purchase pre-paid phone cards for the 5,000 troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan from the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center - Twentynine Palms, CA to stay in touch with their loved ones around the world.

The announcement of the contribution was made on January 27 shortly after the start of play of the second round of the 2005 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

"The Bob Hope Chrysler Classic is very aware of the tremendous sacrifices being made both by the troops and their families while they are overseas," Evenson stated. "This donation will go a long way toward assisting the USO in their program to keep the troops and their loves ones in frequent contact."

Evenson will present the check to Brigadier General Richard Zilmer, Commanding General, Marine Corps Air Ground/Combat Center and Marine Corps Air/Ground Task Force Training Command.