On January 22, 2002 the ABC news program "Good Morning America" ran a story regarding the fraudulent use of coupons by people with suspected ties to terrorism in order to fund terroristic activities.

The Overseas Coupon Project feels that this story has done great harm to us who are legitimately collecting coupons to aide American military families who are fighting to overcome terrorism. By not presenting the legitimate -- and charitable -- use of coupons, they presented a story which is intended to cause suspicion of all organizations which gather coupons.

The OCP has been in existence for nearly ten years. We pledge to our donors that your coupon donations go directly to the family service centers of American military bases overseas. This is the way we've done business since 1992, and this is the way we will continue doing business. The OCP is the only organization granted tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status by the United States I.R.S. for the purpose of distributing coupons to needy families stationed at American military bases overseas. Furthermore, the OCP takes every action within our power to assure that coupons are used only for legitimate purposes.

OCP President Becky Thane and the OCP have been recognized with letters of recognition for their service by U.S. Representative Henry B. Gonzalez (20th District, Texas) and U.S. Representative Chet Edwards (11th District, Texas). U.S. Marine Corps Commandant James L. Jones has personally expressed his thanks and appreciation to Ms. Thane for the service the OCP provides to Marine Corps families.

The OCP deeply regrets the aspersions the GMA story has cast upon legitimate coupon gathering organizations in the U.S. and requests that they present a rebuttal story to provide a balanced journalistic view. An e-mail was sent to GMA on January 22, 2002; we are awaiting response.

Read the GMA story here.