USO of Metropolitan Washington is proud to announce that David C. Gum, Jr., President and CEO of the National Fruit Product Company, Inc. and White House Foods of Winchester, VA, has been elected to the board of directors for USO-Metro. The nonprofit's board members play a critical role in empowering USO-Metro to lift the spirits of the nation's military members and their families living and traveling in the Washington-Baltimore region.
"We're so honored to have David Gum of National Fruit Products as a member of our board of directors," said Elaine Rogers, President and CEO of USO-Metro. "David has been a long-time supporter and friend of USO-Metro and we're so thrilled to have him as a member of our close-knit family."
Gum, an orchardist and native of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, has spent most of his career with the 105-year-old apple grower and processing firm. He assumed ownership and full management of the company in 2006. The Gum family also owns and operates Woodside Farms, an Angus genetics operation. Gum also serves as CEO of Henkel Harris furniture, a hand-crafted high-end furniture company.
Recently, National Fruit Products partnered with Cincinnati's world famous "Montgomery Inn Restaurant" to provide hundreds of military members and their families a huge BBQ event at the USO Warrior and Family Center at Fort Belvoir. National Fruit Products donated hundreds of pounds of food including potato salad, baked beans and chips. In 2011, the company donated $25,000 to USO-Metro to help fund critical programs and services.
"I'm extremely proud and humbled to be a part of the USO of Metropolitan Washington," said Gum. "It's been an honor for me to serve our nation's troops and their families, and I'm looking forward to continuing to thank them for their service through my support of USO-Metro."
Throughout the year, USO-Metro plans and executes hundreds of programs and special events at five USO centers, four airport lounges, and at local military hospitals with the goal of boosting the morale of the nation's troops and their families. USO-Metro provides programs aimed specifically at assisting military families in hardship situations and provides emergency housing and food assistance when needed. Signature USO-Metro programs include Turkeys for Troops, Operation Back to School and Project USO Elf and Operation Basic Boot Camp.
Gum joins a dedicated and diverse group of volunteers who devote their time, energy and resources to making USO-Metro the primary way for the local community to support troops and their families.
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