Apr 26, 2010: SAN JOSE, CA — Hosted by The Brit in downtown San Jose, CA on Saturday, June 19th from 2:00pm to 8:00pm, Operation: Care and Comfort will host TroopFest 2010, a classic rock benefit concert and dinner to raise funds to send care packages to the U.S. Troops abroad. Funds raised will also support military families in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The highlight of TroopFest 2010 is the benefit concert with five hours of classic rock music on the patio at The Brit, featuring Greg Kihn, Midlife Vices, Dean Markley and Mitch Levengood, and The Groove Kings. Guest stars will also perform, including comedienne Tina Allen.

“We decided to bring the event back to the South Bay, where it first started in 2005” said Julie DeMaria, co-founder of Operation: Care and Comfort. “I have not doubt that TroopFest 2010 will sell out quickly as only 300 lucky supporters will join us as we rock and roll at The Brit to support Troups and their families.”

Your ticket to TroopFest 2010 gives you five hours of music and comedy, a full BBQ dinner and a raffle ticket. Raffle and silent auction prizes include one or two night trips to local destinations, such as Lake Tahoe and Monterey. The TroopFest 2010 Grand Prize is a 10-day cruise for two from Holland America Line. The winner will enjoy an ocean view stateroom, and will choose from destinations around the world.

Tickets are $100, with reserved tables for eight available. Tickets may be purchased at The Brit located at 173 W. Santa Clara Street in San Jose or by loggingon to the official TroopFest 2010 web site at www.troopfest.org. updated information will be posted, so check back often.

For more information on how you may participate in this event, call Julie DeMaria of Operation: Care and Comfort at (408) 373-8635 or via email at troopsupport@comcast.net.

About Operation: Care and Comfort: Since April 2003, the all-volunteer Operation: Care and Comfort program, unique to the Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, has shipped over 580 tons of care packages for distribution to Marine, Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard personnel deployed in conflict regions. Adopted military units receive care packages monthly, until they return home. Operation: Care and Comfort is a member of the Department of Defense “America Supports You” program, and has received national awards and recognition for its work on behalf of the military. For more information on how you can support this worthy program, please visit www.operationcareandcomfort.org.

About American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter SFounded in January 2009 with the merger of the Palo Alto Area and Santa Clara Valley chapters, the American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter is a non-profit, humanitarian organization that depends on the generous contributions of time and money from Santa Clara County residents and companies to provide services and programs that help our community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. For more information on disaster preparedness, health and safety classes, volunteer opportunities, and financial contributions, visit our website at www.siliconvalley-redcross.org or call us at 1-877-727-6771.