PACKERS AND AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE CAP CAMPAIGN RAISES $340,000 FOR SUPPORT OF SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN, VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES
The Green Bay Packers and American Family Insurance Thursday announced 10 organizations that will receive funds raised in last year's charity cap campaign, an effort to raise money to support service men and women, veterans and their families.
More than 68,000 of the stone-washed black caps have been sold, raising over $340,000 for distribution to the groups which focus on health care needs, and family support and assistance. This is the third cap campaign for the two organizations, raising more than $1.8 million for Wisconsin charities. The previous two campaigns, featuring pink and red Packers caps, supported charities fighting breast cancer and heart disease.
"We are very honored to present these funds to outstanding organizations performing great deeds in Wisconsin," Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy said in making the announcement. "Our service men and women make great sacrifices for what they do, and we're pleased to contribute to the wonderful actions of these groups that support them. We are very grateful for the support of Packers fans through their purchases of the caps."
"Once again, we provided Packers fans the opportunity to back an important cause," said Rich Steffen, vice president-sales for American Family. "And once again, they responded with flying colors. Thank you, Packers fans, for joining American Family and the Packers in this outstanding partnership."
The groups that will receive donations from the campaign follow:
American Red Cross - 16 chapters across Wisconsin (emergency communications between soldiers and families, as well as financial assistance)
Blue Star Mothers (supports service men and women, and families of fallen soldiers and veterans)
Military Officers Association of America (provides scholarships, grants and interest-free loans to children of qualified service men and women)
Disabled American Veterans (provides programs and services to build better lives for disabled veterans and their families)
American Legion (Camp American Legion, Department Service Office and troop and family support projects)
Operation HomeFront (emergency assistance and support to service men and women and their families)
VFW - Operation Uplink (phone cards) and Family Assistance Centers (support services and emergency aid for family members of deployed service personnel)
USO (provides morale-boosting programs and services to enhance quality of life for service members)
Desert Veterans of Wisconsin ("veterans helping veterans")
Being There - Reaching Out (volunteer organization supporting families and friends of Wisconsinites killed while serving in the armed forces)
"The American Red Cross throughout the state of Wisconsin very much appreciates the gift by the Green Bay Packers and American Family Insurance toward helping military families receive valuable services provided by the American Red Cross," said Steve Maricque, executive director of the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter. "These services include staying in touch with loved ones, verification of emergency leave information, securing emergency financial assistance and obtaining needed counseling."
Caps, priced at $15 with $5 going to charity, remain available online at www.packersproshop.com, as well as at the Packers Pro Shop and Packers Pro Shop Extra Points. Participating American Family Insurance agents also have caps available for purchase.
Based in Madison, Wis., American Family Insurance offers multi-line insurance and financial services in 18 states, and is the largest provider of auto and homeowners insurance in Wisconsin. American Family ranks 352 on the Fortune 500 list and is the nation's third largest mutual property/casualty insurance company.
