Washington, DC, Oct. 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Newman’s Own joined co-sponsors Fisher House Foundation and Military Timesat the 19thannual Newman’s Own Awards Ceremony at the Pentagon Hall of Heroes to honor five non-profit organizations for their innovative programs created to improve military quality of life.
The annual competition seeks to reward ingenuity for programs that benefit service men and women and their families. As the event commenced,General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, announced the recipients of the awards, totaling $200,000. He was joined in presenting the awards by Jeffrey Smith, Vice President of Operations of Newman’s Own, Inc.; Dave Coker, President of Fisher House Foundation; and Andrew Tilghman, Executive Editor of Military Times. The five winning organizations include Warrior Reunion Foundation, Code Platoon, WV Health Right, Inc., Healing Warriors Program and Vets on Track Foundation, Inc.
Warrior Reunion Foundation received the highest honor, and a $50,000 award. Located in Cockeysville, Maryland, Warrior Reunion Foundation provides reunions that reconnect military veterans deployed to combat together, challenging stigma through shared experience while facilitating the development of peer support networks essential to success in like after military service.
“We are grateful to the men and women of our military, veterans, and their families for their commitment to protecting the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy as Americans,” said Bob Forrester, Co-Chairman of Newman’s Own, Inc. and President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation. “We’re proud to have participated for the past 19 years with the Military Times and Fisher House Foundation in recognizing so many outstanding organizations focused on helping our veterans and their families, and we’re especially proud to support this year’s award recipients.”
To date, the annual competition has recognized 179 programs with awards totaling $1,925,000.
As a long-time supporter of military non-profits, Newman’s Own carries on the legacy of Paul Newman, founder of Newman’s Own, who wanted to help make a difference in the lives of others. Paul, a Navy veteran, served in the Pacific during World War II. Over the years, Newman’s Own Awards has provided funding for organizations across the country, which have addressed veterans’ issues such as mental and physical health, housing, education, career development, entrepreneurship, family support. Just under 300 entries were submitted for the 2018 program. Five judges evaluated each entry based on the organization’s impact to the respective communities, creativity and innovation.
Judges for the 2018 competition were:
Mrs. Ellyn Dunford Spouse of General Joseph Dunford, USMC
Mrs. Tammy Fisher Trustee, Fisher House Foundation
Mrs. Suzie Schwartz Trustee, Fisher House Foundation
Mrs. Lynne Pace Trustee, Fisher House Foundation
Mr. Jeffrey Smith Vice President of Operations, Newman’s Own
Overall Winning Entry
$50,000 AWARD
Unit Reunion Program
Warrior Reunion Foundation, Cockeysville, MD
Warrior Reunion Foundation supports combat veterans in overcoming the challenges of post-military transition by reconnecting those who served together overseas. We challenge stigma through shared experience, rebuilding essential peer support networks that enable our veterans to live with meaning, purpose and positive impact in their communities. In just over one year of operation Warrior Reunion Foundation has provided seven reunions to units of military veterans who deployed to combat together. During the course of these seven reunions we have served over 300 combat veterans, as well as multiple Gold Star families who attended reunions alongside those who served with their loved one. For more information, contact James Ferguson (james@warriorreunionfoundation.org) or visit www.warriorreunionfoundation.org.
$37,500 AWARD
Educating Our Veterans to Become Software Developers
Code Platoon, Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Code Platoon provides software coding training to help local veterans and military spouses find meaningful careers as professional software developers. Each student is eligible to apply for scholarships or use their GI Bill benefits, making this career path affordable and attainable. The program consists of 8-12 students per class who spend 60-80 hours a week together for 14 weeks. Instruction is a carefully curated mix of lectures, advanced coding training in Python and JavaScript, and team projects, frequently culminating in a local paid internship. For more information, contact Rodrigo Levy (rod@codeplatoon.org) or visit www.codeplatoon.org.
Veteran’s Dental Program
WV Health Right, Inc., Charleston, WV
West Virginia Health Right, Inc. provides free dental care, including preventative cleanings, exams, fillings, extractions and dentures, to low-income West Virginia Veterans without dental coverage. The program funded by this grant will utilize a mobile dental clinic that travels to 6 rural counties of the state and the onsite dental clinic at their main office to treat 500 Veterans in need. For more information, contact Angie Settle (asettle@wvhealthright.org) or visit www.wvhealthright.org.
Clinic Sessions
Healing Warriors Program, Fort Collins, CO
Healing Warriors Program clinic opened in July 2013 and has provided over 11,000 non-opioid pain and trauma clinic sessions, treating over 1,200 service members and their spouses, partners and parents. Many of the veterans we see at Healing Warriors Program clinic have been living in pain for so long that their sense of hope is worn down, placing many at risk for suicide. By using therapies that support healing, relief from pain, improved sleep and focus, the service member is able to find restoration for their quality of life. Our mission to provide non-narcotic, integrative treatment, is critical at a time when many veterans are transitioning from opioid pain management and need help with the burden of injury.
We are a Registered VA Vendor and a Guidestar Platinum Star participant charity. For more information, contact Ana Yelen (info@healingwarriorsprogram.org) or visit www.healingwarriorsprogram.org.
Fresh Start Program
Vets on Track Foundation, Inc., Garrisonville, VA
The Vets on Track Foundation furnishes homes for veterans and their families who have been placed into permanent housing from living on the streets or in a shelter. From sofas, beds, dining room tables and chairs, to dishes, silverware and pictures for the wall, to throw pillows and blankets, our volunteers work to turn every house into a warm and loving home. Through our mission, we are able to complete the circle of support, which is needed to end veteran homelessness. For more information, contact Rick Ecker (rick@vettrack.org) or visit www.vettrack.org.
About Newman’s Own®, Inc.
Newman's Own, Inc., founded by Paul Newman in 1982, offers great tasting, high quality food and beverage products for people and pets. Products include salad dressings, pasta sauces, frozen pizza, salsa, refrigerated drinks, cookies, barbecue sauce, and snacks as well as dog food, cat food and pet treats. Newman's Own Foundation continues Paul Newman's commitment to use all royalties and profits that it receives from the sale of its food products for charitable purposes. Over $530 million has been given to thousands of charities since 1982. For more information, visit NewmansOwn.com.
About Military Times
The Military Times digital platforms and print products are the trusted source for independent news and information for service members and their families. The military community relies on the Army Times, Marine Corps Times, Navy Times and Air Force Times for reporting on everything important to their lives, including: pay, benefits, finance, education, health care, recreational resources, retirement, promotions, product reviews, and entertainment. Military Times is published by Sightline Media Group. To learn more, visit www.militarytimes.com.
About Fisher House Foundation
Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, and in Europe, close to the medical center or hospital it serves. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $400+ million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.
Fisher House Foundation also operates the Hero Miles Program, using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members as well as the Hotels for Heroes program using donated hotel points to allow family members to stay at hotels near medical centers without charge. The Foundation also manages a grant program that supports other military charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses and children of fallen and disabled veterans.
www.fisherhouse.org
NOTE: Images from today's event will be available through the attached link after 5:00pm EST.
###