Good stuff. The Overlords and the Military Channel are teaming up to raise money for charities that support servicemembers and their families.
Beginning this holiday season and continuing throughout 2007, the Military Channel and Military.com will spotlight a different military-focused charity through monthly on-air and online promotions. United under one banner, www.ReconnectAmerica.com will serve as a portal to all charities in the program, and provide the tools people need to make a difference in the military community. Visitors to the site can make online donations, send e-cards to servicemembers, post their thoughts on message boards, watch video postings from the frontline and access a "military-buddy" locator database.
Operation Gratitude is the first of 12 national charities that will be highlighted as part of Reconnect America. Founded after 9/11 as a means to lift troops' morale, Operation Gratitude brings a smile to servicemembers' faces by sending care packages overseas.
Following Operation Gratitude, the following charities are scheduled to be spotlighted on ReconnectAmerica.com in early 2007:
* Armed Services YMCA: The Armed Services YMCA has provided services to the military community for over 140 years, offering essential programs such as childcare, hospital assistance, spousal support, health & wellness services, holiday meals and many others.
* Fisher House Foundation: Since its inception in 1990, the Fisher House Foundation has provided over 2 million days of lodging to military families in need, offering a "home away from home" that enables family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful time---during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury.
* The National Military Family Association (NMFA): NMFA is dedicated to providing information to and representing the interests of family members of the uniformed services. NMFA sponsors a military spouse scholarship program, the NMFA Very Important Patriot Award, and the NMFA Family Award.
* The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc. (TAPS): TAPS is a one of a kind non-profit Veteran Service Organization offering hope, healing, comfort and care to thousands of American armed forces families facing the death of a loved one each year.
In addition to the support received from visitors to ReconnectAmerica.com, the Military Channel and Military.com will make monetary and other in-kind donations to each organization throughout the year. Furthering exposure and penetration for the Reconnect America program, the Military Channel will also work with its distribution partners in communities nationwide to build customized local citizen involvement in this charitable effort.
