ATLANTA, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- This Veterans Day, SouthernLINC Wireless, a Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is reminding its Southeastern neighbors to give a little "home" for U.S. soldiers stationed overseas.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090507/CL13145LOGO )

For the second consecutive year, the regional wireless carrier is supporting deployed American troops through Any Soldier Inc., a non-profit organization that helps boost morale among deployed men and women of the U.S. armed forces.

Through Nov. 20, multiple SouthernLINC Wireless locations are serving as collection points for cards, letters and care package items, which will be sent directly to soldiers deployed from military bases in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. SouthernLINC Wireless employee volunteers will pack the items and the company will cover shipping costs.

"We are proud to once again support our dedicated servicemen and women with the help of the Any Soldier organization," said Bob Dawson, president and CEO of SouthernLINC Wireless. "Our troops sacrifice so much to protect us and our country. I hope our Southeastern neighbors will take this opportunity to write a note or donate a few, inexpensive comforts from 'home' to show our soldiers how much they are appreciated."

Cards, letters and care package items can be dropped off during business hours at multiple SouthernLINC Wireless locations in Alabama and Georgia. For more information, including a complete list of collection locations, guidelines and suggested care package items, visit www.southernlinc.com/community.

Last year's holiday drive with Any Soldier® collected and mailed more than 1750 cards and letters and 210 care packages - weighing more than a ton - to more than 1350 U.S. servicemen and women.

Any Soldier was founded in 2003 by Army veterans, Marty and Sue Horn, and grew through a strong network of family and friends.

"Our family started Any Soldier to give our son Brian and his unit from the 173rd Airborne Brigade a few comforts from home and boost spirits," said Marty Horn, president of Any Soldier. "We are honored that SouthernLINC Wireless is holding a holiday collection drive again this year to support soldiers deployed overseas from bases in the Southeast."

As a nonprofit organization, Any Solider relies on donations to continue their efforts to improve the lives of U.S. military personnel who are stationed far away from family and friends. To support this organization and the work it does, please go to www.anysoldier.com/HelpDonate.cfm to learn how to make a tax-deductible donation.

Currently, Any Soldier is helping approximately 100,000 active duty and reservists in all U.S. military branches who are in harm's way. In its six year history, Any Soldier has served nearly 1.5 million members of the U.S. military.

About SouthernLINC Wireless

SouthernLINC Wireless, a Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is an Atlanta-based regional wireless carrier covering the major metro and rural areas in Alabama, Georgia, southeast Mississippi and northwest Florida. SouthernLINC Wireless bundles multiple communication options into one phone including Push To Talk two-way radio, cellular service, text messaging, wireless Internet access and wireless data. More information about SouthernLINC Wireless can be obtained by calling 1-800-818-LINC (5462) or visiting the SouthernLINC Wireless Web site at www.southernlinc.com.

About Southern Company

With nearly 4.4 million customers and more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast, one of America's fastest-growing regions. A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are significantly below the national average. Southern Company has been listed the top ranking U.S. electric service provider in customer satisfaction for nine consecutive years by the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Visit our Web site at www.southerncompany.com.

About Any Soldier Inc.

Any Soldier Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, currently helps approximately 100,000 active duty and reservists in all U.S. military branches through more than 2,000 service member contacts. Any Soldier facilitates a connection between civilians and those servicemen and women who are serving in dangerous deployments. The organization has become one of the leading efforts in making sure these soldiers are cared for via letters and packages from "home." Any Soldier is one of less than 2,000 charities that have been awarded the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence. For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.AnySoldier.com.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090507/CL13145LOGO

SOURCE: SouthernLINC Wireless

Web site: http://www.southernlinc.com/