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U-Haul Signs on as National Tour Partner for Soldier Ride
Raising funds and awareness for our severely wounded service members, Soldier Ride raised $2 million last year; hopes to raise $5 million this year
Washington, DC - (July 1, 2005) - Close to 100 disabled soldiers and cyclists
are participating in this year's Soldier Ride, as the group makes its way from Los
Angeles to New York on bicycles to raise funds for Wounded Warrior Project, a
nonprofit organization dedicated to helping our severely wounded servicemen
and women. U-Haul, the leader in the do-it-yourself moving industry and one of
Soldier Ride's National Tour Partners, will be there to help them all along the
way.
This month, U-Haul kicks off a special customer promotion to benefit Soldier Ride
in more than 1,300 of its company-owned and managed stores across the U.S.
Each participating U-Haul location will make available specially designed
"Defending Freedom" wristbands, donated by defendingfreedom.net. Customers
can donate $3 and receive a wristband, with 100 percent of the proceeds going
to benefit Soldier Ride and the Wounded Warrior Project.
In addition, U-Haul has donated the use of its trucks, trailers and other moving
equipment to the Soldier Ride riding team to help transport the team's bikes,
repair units and other equipment.
"U-Haul is proud to continue its longstanding support of the courageous men and
women in our armed services. The Soldier Ride event recognizes and celebrates
the incredible sacrifices these individuals have made, and we are honored to be
part of this important effort," stated John "J.T." Taylor, U-Haul executive vice
president.
"We at Wounded Warrior Project greatly appreciate U-Haul's support of this
important undertaking. They are outstanding partners." said John Melia, the
founder and Director of Wounded Warrior Project. "This is an incredibly lifeaffirming
effort - great fun and a great experience for the participants and all its
supporters. The soldiers recovering across the country, and on the job overseas,
see this support, and it helps them to know the job they do is appreciated."
Soldier Ride is in its second year of supporting the Wounded Warrior Project, and
hopes to beat its impressive inaugural effort last year, which raised nearly $2
million for severely injured service members and their families. This year Soldier
Ride hopes to raise $5 million.
Soldier Ride is outfitting every participating soldier with a bike and the prosthetic
adaption that's needed. Organizers are working closely with experts at Walter
Reed Army Medical Center to ensure the soldiers get the appropriate equipment,
so they're able not only to manage the bike for this venture, but also to keep this
equipment and enjoy its use for years to come.
Following is the route for Soldier Ride 2005:
May 21 - Kickoff: Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles, California1st stop: Dodger's Baseball Game - Double amputee and Soldier Ride
participant Heath Calhoun will throw out the first pitch.
May 26 - Las Vegas, Nev.
June 12 - Denver, Colo.
June 19 - Kansas City, Mo.
June 24 - St. Louis, Mo.
June 29 - Chicago, Ill.
July 4 - Cleveland, Ohio
July 7 - Pittsburgh, Pa.
July 10 - Washington D.C.
July 11 - Baltimore, Md.
July 14 - Philadelphia, Pa.
July 17 - New York City, N.Y.
July 18 - Grand Finale - Montauk, Long Island, N.Y.
July 24-Martha Clara Vineyards concert with Funk Brothers, Joan Osborne &
Special guests.
About Wounded Warrior Project
The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
assisting the new generation of severely injured servicemen and women.
Delivering personal and responsive attention for these heroes, WWP provides
free programs and services for the severely wounded, enables vets to help vets,
and educates the public and enlists their aid in this important effort. To support
Soldier Ride and learn more about the participants, please visit
www.soldierride.com or call 1-866-743-3441.
About U-Haul
Today, as Phoenix-based U-Haul International celebrates 60 years of serving the
do-it-yourself household moving customer, U-Haul trucks, trailers and towing
devices can be rented from over 13,850 independent dealers and more than
1,350 company-operated moving and storage center locations across North
America. U-Haul, the undisputed leader in the truck and trailer rental industry, is
one of the industry's largest operators of self-storage facilities, the world's largest
installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry and is
the largest Yellow Pages advertiser under one brand name. For more information
on U-Haul, please visit www.uhaul.com
Contact:
Sandy Levine |
Contact:
Joanne Fried |
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