Wednesday, December 14, 2011

SPANX® Delivers No Guts and All Glory to the Troops for the Holidays

Atlanta, GA, Dec. 14, 2011 – This year male military recipients of the USO’s annual holiday care package will feel support in a whole new way, thanks to a donation from Spanx.

Spanx, the problem-solving company best known for revolutionizing the women’s shapewear industry, has donated ten thousand of their men’s Cotton Compression Undershirts (valued at $58) in an effort to give servicemen a boost while they bravely serve overseas. Designed to comfortably firm the chest, flatten the stomach, support the lower back and improve posture, the shirts are part of USO-Metro’s Operation USO Care Package which will reach more than 10,000 servicemen just in time for the holidays.

Operation USO Care Package program began in 2003 and has distributed more than 2 million care packages to date, sending between 250,000 and 300,000 to deployed service members every year. The care packages contain an assortment of items that our military have specifically requested, such as prepaid international calling cards, disposable cameras, toiletries and entertainment items. The entire program is managed and supported by USO-Metro.

“The USO’s role is to do the little things to boost morale and let our nation’s service men and women know they are supported and appreciated,” said Elaine Rogers, president of the USO of Metropolitan Washington. “The continued generosity of the community makes it possible for USO-Metro to serve the troops and their families, and we are truly grateful for the support and generous donation Spanx has provided to our Operation USO Care Package program.”

“We launched SPANX for Men to help guys battle the bulge, and now we’re proud to donate SPANX Cotton Compression Undershirts to the men who go to battle for us every day,” said Spanx CEO Laurie Ann Goldman. “The shirts help men feel firmer and stand taller, and we hope they serve as a reminder to our servicemen that we stand firmly behind them. This donation is a unique way for Spanx to support the troops, and we appreciate the partnership of the USO to help make it happen.”

For more SPANX for Men information and images, click here; to see military hero and Dancing with Stars champion J.R. Martinez in a SPANX for Men Undershirt, click here. Photos from the Care Package stuffing event are also available by request.

About Spanx:
Spanx founder Sara Blakely was getting ready for a party when she realized she didn’t have the right undergarment to provide a blemish-free look under white pants. Armed with scissors and sheer genius, she cut the feet off her control top pantyhose and the Spanx revolution began! The problem-solving brand has become a red carpet must-have for celebrities and a daily necessity for women and men everywhere. Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, SPANX is available in 35 countries and now offers more than 200 products ranging from slimming apparel and swimsuits, to bras, activewear and men’s undershirts. These body-shaping innovations have secured SPANX a place in pop-culture, with daily mentions everywhere from CNN to SNL. In addition to keeping butts covered, SPANX also shapes the world by focusing on their mission: To help women feel great about themselves and their potential.

About USO of Metropolitan Washington
The USO of Metropolitan Washington is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization chartered by Congress and dedicated to “Serving those who serve, and their families” in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.  It is through the generous financial support of individuals and organizations in the local community that USO-Metro is able to fulfill its mission. With the help of nearly 5,000 devoted volunteers, USO-Metro provides programs and services for active duty service members and their families at area military hospitals; through its Mobile USO program; at five USO Centers; four USO airport lounges and through Operation USO Care Package. 


Alison Abbey

Spanx PR

aabbey@spanx.com

678.500.1299

HELP MILITARY CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

TWEET2GIVE HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN CALLS ON PUBLIC TO ACT TODAY AND HELP MILITARY CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

DECEMBER 14, 2011   ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!), a non-profit organization based in Southern California, is using social media giant Twitter to raise much needed funds for its national Autism Care and Treatment for Military Families (ATMF) campaign which benefits military children with autism. The initiative calls on two teams – Team Naughty and Team Nice – to get as many Twitter followers to spread the word, and make online donations during December 14 through December 30, 2011.

All donations must be made at bit.ly/s3rnQJ.

According to recent figures from The Department of Defense, 1 in every 88 military children has autism. Autism is more prevalent than juvenile diabetes, pediatric cancer and childhood AIDS.  Military families who have children with autism are fighting 2 battles -- one for their country, and the one for care and treatment for their children.

“We currently have an autism crisis,” says Andrekka Lanier, ATMF Campaign Director, Marine wife and mother of a child with autism. “ACT Today!’s Tweet2Give campaign will not only draw more awareness to the plight of military children with autism, but also help raise funds for necessary care and treatment these children need to reach their full potential.”

Anyone with access to a computer can participate, by setting up a Twitter account. Then, doing the following steps:

Step 1
Before tweeting please add @Act_Today and @TweetTwoGive to the people you follow on Twitter.

Step 2
Announce to your followers that you have joined the contest and include the link to the ACT Today! for Military Families video at bit.ly/s3rnQJ.

SAMPLE TWEET: Just joined the “Nice Team” to raise $$ for ACT Today! for Military Families.  The fundraising contest starts Dec 14 - bit.ly/s3rnQJ

Step 3
During the 2nd week of the contest send your donation request tweet again.

SAMPLE TWEET: The contest for ACT Today! For Military Families starts now. Please give what you can and retweet - bit.ly/s3rnQJ
 
About ACT TODAY!:

ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing funding to families that cannot afford or access the treatments their children with autism need. For more information about ACT Today!, visit: www.act-today.org.