11-Year Old Completes 18-Month Long Mission to Send Thank-You Cards to all U.S. Troops Overseas

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Dec. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- After nearly two years of devotion to writing messages of thanks and creating hand-decorated cards, 11-year-old Stephen Goodman from Surprise, Ariz. has exceeded his amazing goal of making 180,000 personalized thank-you cards for every U.S. service member  deployed overseas.

Goodman's enthusiasm and sincerity gained him strong support from his community, from across the country, and from imaging innovator, Kodak. He even received a prized letter of acknowledgement from Vice President Biden. Kodak donated more than 100,000 Personalized Greeting cards bearing Goodman's own design, helping him meet his milestone right in time for the holidays.

"I really appreciate all of the support I have received from everyone who has helped me reach my goal," says Goodman. "My family and friends, and many people I have never even met, have donated their time and resources to help me create the cards and encouraged me to keep going. I hope these cards let all the troops know that they are appreciated and never forgotten, no matter how far they are from home."

Goodman first caught the attention of Kodak in 2010. The company was moved by his patriotic mission and quickly became dedicated to helping Goodman attain his goal.

Goodman worked with Kodak to design two of his own KODAK Personal Greeting Card templates on the KODAK Picture Kiosk, and the company printed and donated more than 100,000 copies of his custom-designed cards to his cause. In 2011, Kodak created a webpage, www.Kodak.com/go/StephenGoodman, so Goodman could share his story and progress with supporters and also hosted a Fourth of July card drive at KODAK Picture Kiosks in retail stores nationwide. People around the country were able to print and donate Goodman's cards at the Kiosks to help him reach his goal.

"Kodak is dedicated to helping people capture and share special moments, and we are proud to be one of Stephen's supporters who helped him reach this milestone," says Larry Trevarthen, vice president of worldwide marketing, Retail Systems Solutions, Eastman Kodak Company. "Stephen's two greeting card designs are available on KODAK Picture Kiosks nationwide and anyone who wants to follow in his footsteps can select his design, personalize it with pictures and text, and print it in seconds."

On December 16, Goodman and his family will visit Luke Air Force Base to bestow his 180,000 personalized cards to representatives from a non-profit organization that will help manage the task of delivering his cards to the troops.

The first shipment of thank-you cards is scheduled to be received by troops over the holiday season, and the cards will continue to be delivered throughout the year until every last "thank you" has been sent. Since Goodman surpassed his original goal of 180,000 cards, he plans to send his additional cards to VA hospitals.

Inspired by stories from his grandfather, a Vietnam veteran, Goodman began his mission to brighten the lives of those fighting for our country overseas.

"A lot of soldiers who served in Vietnam, like my grandpa, never got any support or thanks for their service," says Goodman. "I wanted to make sure that every soldier serving our country today knows they are appreciated and never feels forgotten."

For more information about Goodman, please visit www.kodak.com/go/StephenGoodman.

About Kodak

As the world's foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives. To learn more, visit www.kodak.com and follow our blogs and more at www.kodak.com/go/followus.

© Kodak, 2011. KODAK, KODAK Personal Greeting cards and KODAK Picture Kiosk are trademarks of Kodak.

SOURCE Eastman Kodak