The Kroger Co. and the USO are strengthening their partnership with a fresh campaign to support men and women in the armed forces and their families.

In conjunction with the Daytona 500 celebration on Sunday, Feb. 26, Kroger will launch ‘Honoring OurHeroes’, a year-long initiative to raise funds for members of our armed forces in partnership with the USO, the leading organization for morale-boosting programs and services for American troops and their families. This is the second year Kroger is sponsoring Honoring Our Heroes.

Thirteen Kroger associates from across the company will join in presenting a $1.5 million donation to the USO prior to the race.  The funds were raised in 2011 in partnership with key suppliers and through the contributions of customers and associates at Kroger’s family of stores across the country. This donation will support USO programs serving members of the military, wounded warriors and their families.

“For more than 70 years, the USO has been lifting the spirits of America’s troops and their families in many ways, including free phone calls and internet to connect with their loved ones back home, care packages to let them know they are never forgotten, and USO Centers around the world, where they can rest or get a free bite to eat,” said USO President and CEO Sloan Gibson.

“None of this would be possible without dedicated partners like Kroger. Our partnership with Kroger makes it possible for our troops and their families to know that their efforts and sacrifices are appreciated.  And this is the best way we can honor our heroes.”

In addition to being Kroger associates, these men and women also are active-duty or reservist members of our armed forces. They represent all five branches of the military and the National Guard.

“We can’t think of more fitting ambassadors of our program than our own people, and we are pleased to recognize their service in front of the Daytona 500 race fans,” said Lynn Marmer, group vice president of Corporate Affairs for Kroger.  ”We thank all of our associates in the military for their service to our country, our communities, and our company.  The Kroger family of stores looks forward to helping the USO assist even more of our men and women in uniform.”

As it did in 2011, the Kroger-USO car, driven by NASCAR champion Bobby Labonte, will carry a special Kroger logo in this year’s Daytona 500. This emblem features the names of more than 350 Kroger associates who are active duty or reservist members of the U.S. military, in tribute to their service.  In addition, Labonte will wear a special helmet during Sunday’s race.  Featuring a striking eagle motif and customized paint scheme, the helmet was designed by an associate at Kroger’s general office in Cincinnati especially for this race.

“It’s great to work with Kroger again and have them on board for one of the most prestigious races of the season, the Daytona 500,” Labonte said. “The Kroger logo on the hood of our No. 47 Toyota Camry is pretty cool because it is paying special tribute to hundreds of Kroger associates from across the country.  We also have USO on the car. Kroger did an amazing job through Honoring Our Heroes. We’re proud to carry the USO in The Great American Race on Sunday.”

Kroger is the exclusive retail partner for the Daytona 500. Learn more about special in-store and online Daytona 500 promotions at Kroger and its family of stores at www.kroger.com.

Best known for its entertainment tours, the USO provides programs and services to those who need the USO the most, including deployed troops and their families, wounded, ill and injured service members and their families, as well as families of the fallen. To learn about the USO’s mission to lift the spirits of America’s troops and their families, visit www.uso.org.

Image Courtesy of   http://www.flickr.com/photos/imcomkorea/

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Salvation Army raised $147.6 million through the 2011 Red Kettle Campaign, marking a new fundraising record. The new record, a 3.4 percent increase from 2010, highlights the support of American donors who gave generously despite a continued slow economy.

In its 120th year, after beginning on the wharf in San Francisco in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has become a Christmas tradition that utilizes volunteers to ring bells at 25,000 red kettles nationwide. In 2011, The Salvation Army expanded on the Campaign by incorporating new technologies at kettles and hosting national events to inspire giving.

“In troubling times, we are truly grateful for the generosity of the American donor to support the traditions of the campaign and help The Salvation Army carry on its Mission,” said Commissioner William Roberts , National Commander of The Salvation Army. “We have been working to expand the Red Kettle Campaign to reach new and young donors, and with continued support, we are able to meet human need in His name during the winter months and year round.”

In keeping with tradition, the Dallas Cowboys helped The Salvation Army launch the campaign by hosting the 15th annual National Red Kettle Campaign Kickoff at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Grammy Award winning, international superstar Enrique Iglesias performed LIVE, with special guest Pitbull, on a nationally televised stage on Thanksgiving Day, singing to more than 31 million Americans.

The Salvation Army, in partnership with Sky Blue Group, Swift Entertainment and Universal Studios CityWalk, also hosted the second annual “Rock the Red Kettle Concert” on December 17 to encourage young Americans to support charitable causes.

With host Mario Lopez of “Extra,” popular, Grammy-winning and platinum-selling recording artists such as Honor Society, Greyson Chance, Hanson, Colbie Caillat, Cody Simpson, and Drake Bell performed at Universal Studios CityWalk’s state-of-the-art “5 Towers” concert venue in Hollywood.

World-renowned actor and recording artist Robert Davi made a guest appearance at the concert, following the release of his re-imagined version of the Christmas classic, “Mistletoe and Holly.” Proceeds from the song’s sales supported the Red Kettle Campaign.

Salvation Army bell-ringers manned red kettles at store fronts and in shopping malls nationwide. Corporate partners who helped the Army set a new fundraising record include:

• Walmart - $41.5 million raised
• Kroger - $13.1 million raised
• Sam’s Club - $5 million raised
• jcpenney - $3 million raised
• Big Lots - $1.4 million raised

The Walmart Foundation made a donation of $1 million to the Army as part of its effort to support hunger relief in America. Sam’s Club and The Salvation Army also partnered with Off the Field, a professional football players’ wives association, to host the fifth annual Dream Drive on December 8. Twenty pre-selected families from The Salvation Army Adopt-A-Family program in 10 cities received $1,000 in gifts from Sam’s Club for a total donation of $200,000.

The Salvation Army partnered with jcpenney for the third year to bring Christmas gifts to 63,000 children and seniors as part of the Angel Giving Tree Online at jcp.com/angel. Customers could adopt, shop and ship gifts for people in need through jcp.com.

Square, which donated credit card readers for The Salvation Army to use in test markets - San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas and New York, helped make giving easier for donors. Sprint also donated smartphone devices to The Salvation Army to mobilize the credit card application.

To raise awareness during the campaign, The Salvation Army also hosted the inaugural World Record Bell Ringing Contest. Twenty-four bell ringers set out to surpass a benchmark of 36 hours of continuous ringing of a hand bell. Three bell ringers, Caleb Stokes and Leilan McNally in Indianapolis, IN and Darrell Tureskisin Springfield, IL surpassed the record and rang a bell in support for 60 hours straight.

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