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2003-10-20

11,000 TROOPS BEAT THE HEAT WITH DONATION OF PERSONAL COOLING MISTERS

Orbit Irrigation Products Help American Soldiers in Iraq Fight War Against Fatigue With $300,000 Donation

Mesa, AZ - October 20, 2003.  Non-profit group Cool Our Troops and Orbit® Irrigation Products, Inc., one of the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers of irrigation and misting products for the residential and commercial markets, have partnered to provide more than $300,000 worth of personal misting products to American soldiers stationed in the Middle East. The first shipment was picked up by the military in Utah, and shipped directly to Iraq via the United States Air Force.

“We originally contacted Orbit for a donation of 1,000 personal misters” said founder, Sue McCormick. “We also purchased additional units at cost, but then Orbit donated 11,000 misters to Cool Our Troops.” Something Orbit was not asked to do McCormick is quick to point out. “Orbit President K.C. Ericksen did this on his own initiative.  This company exemplifies the true American spirit.”

Since August of this year, Orbit has donated 11,000 ArizonaMist® Chilly Mate® Personal Cooling Bottles to the Mesa, Arizona group. Deliveries have been sent to the 82^nd and 101^st Airborne Divisions of the United States Army. Thousands more cooled off the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, and were generously left behind to cool replacement coalition forces and others stationed in Iraq and Kuwait.

“Orbit really reached out to help our cause and ultimately improve conditions for the men and women serving in Iraq,” added Cool Our Troops organizer Susan Czubek. “I think it is important to know that Orbit Irrigation has really gone beyond the call of duty to help our troops get relief from the extreme heat they face in the Middle East.”

The non-profit group is almost three-quarters of the way to reaching their goal of sending 50,000 cooling aids to military personnel serving overseas. "The personal misters are a much-appreciated accessory to military personnel stationed in Iraq, where temperatures can soar to a scorching 135 degrees Fahrenheit," added Czubek.

The completely portable misting coolers can quickly cool air temperature by 20 degrees, and fit easily around the waist or over the shoulder. Orbit Arizona Mist ® Chilly Mate® Personal Cooling Bottles are beneficial to children, athletes, pet owners and others who are susceptible to extreme heat.

About Cool Our Troops

Cool Our Troops (www.coolourtroops.org) is a non-profit organization formed on July 3, 2003 to raise funds to send personal misters to 50,000 military personnel serving in Iraq. Co-founders Sue McCormick and Susan Czubek learned about the heat from their fiancés stationed in Iraq and news reports. One personal mister and a wish to make Father"s Day a little more special eventually led to a nationwide campaign to send troops some “cool” relief.

Cool Our Troops (www.coolourtroops.org) is asking for help in “cooling our troops” serving in Iraq. The public can make a difference in the life of a soldier by dropping off a donation at any Bank of America.  Donations may also be mailed to Bank One, Tempe Towne Center, c/o Cool Our Troops, 20 E. University Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281.  All donations are tax deductible, and 100% of the proceeds go to Cool Our Troops.

For more information, please visit www.coolourtroops.org, or contact Sue McCormick at 480/239.9364 or cool@coolourtroops.org.)

About Orbit

Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc. (www.orbitonline.com) is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of irrigation and misting products for the commercial and residential markets. Orbit manufactures and distributes more than 1,500 quality lawn and garden irrigation and misting products to customers in 32 countries worldwide under the sub-brand names Orbit Professional®, WaterMaster®, DripMaster®, SunMate® and Arizona Mist®. With manufacturing locations in the Far East, South America and United States, Orbit employs 650 worldwide in its peak season. Orbit products can be purchased both domestically and internationally at most contractor supply houses, home improvement stores, and lawn and garden centers. For more information, go to www.orbitonline.com or call 1-800-488-6156.