Boot Campaign Revs Up For "2nd Annual Boot Ride and Rally" in Los Angeles on August 26, Benefiting Returning Soldiers

FX's Sons of Anarchy Cast will lead the morning ride followed by live performances from Blackberry Smoke and more

LOS ANGELES, July 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Boot Campaign, a military non-profit that donates to soldiers healing from a variety of physical and emotional combat wounds, will host the 2nd Annual Boot Ride and Rally (www.bootride.com) on Sunday, August 26, 2012 in Los Angeles. Bikers will roll out - with the stars from FX's Sons of Anarchy leading the way - at 10:30 a.m. at Route 66 Classic Grill and cap the day with a 3 p.m. rally at The Happy Ending Bar & Restaurant in Hollywood with live performances by Blackberry Smoke, the quintet of "rock outlaws" (Creative Loafing) known for raucous country riffs and sprawling shows. In addition to their passionate fan base, the band has garnered praise, supporting tour slots and guest appearances from the likes of Jones, ZZ Top, The Marshall Tucker Band and Zac Brown Band, to whose record label Southern Ground Records they are signed. Non-riders are invited to The Happy Ending Bar & Restaurant ($25) to see the riders roll in and enjoy the concert.

Sons of Anarchy, about the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club, has built a loyal and avid following in its four seasons on FX; the highly anticipated fifth season begins in September. The cast are big supporters of the Boot Campaign and its goals and have chosen to team up with the charity for 2012's Boot Rid and Rally.

"I support the Boot Campaign for what they give to those who give so much for our country every day. The first year of the Boot Ride was an amazing experience. Seeing people come out from all over, ride and, most importantly, put on their boots, was an inspiration. This year can only be better than the last. It's an honor to be part of this movement," said Theo Rossi from Sons of Anarchy.

Also in attendance will be cast members from the Discovery Channel show Deadliest Catch including Edgar Hansen, Jake Anderson, and Matt Bradley, all from vessel FV Northwestern.

Proceeds from the ride and rally, along with the Boot Campaign's sale of military combat boots, are used to fund veteran's initiatives and programs through the Boot Campaign and a variety of charity partners such as Military Warriors Support Foundation, Wounded Wear, Not Alone, Special Ops Survivors, Armed Forces Foundation and Lone Survivor Foundation, that help with a variety of both physical and emotional issues that returning soldiers face today. The Boot Campaign wants Americans to put their boots on to "symbolically walk in the shoes of our military men and women to remember their service and sacrifice."

BUY YOUR BOOTS - It wouldn't be a Boot Ride without the official Boot Campaign footwear!

BUY YOUR RIDE - ONLINE registration ONLY for riders and passengers. The fee is $150 per person (rider or passenger), which includes entry into both the Ride and Rally, Boot Ride 2012 t-shirt, Boot Ride 2012 commemorative patch, Mirror tag - Boot Ride 2012 bandana, Rally wristband, BBQ lunch at Route 66 Classic Grill.

BUY YOUR RALLY – The Rally gates open at 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon at The Happy Ending Bar & Restaurant parking lot. Admission is $25 and includes a live performance by Blackberry Smoke, plus appearances by cast members of FX's hit show Sons of Anarchy and other celebs.

The Boot Campaign
The Boot Campaign is a grassroots military appreciation and veteran awareness campaign started by five women from Texas, known as the Boot Girls.  The Boot Girls launched the Boot Campaign in 2009 to spread awareness of the needs of military personnel returning home from combat and express gratitude to current military.  Through the sale of military combat boots, the Boot Campaign donates proceeds to a group of partner charities that work with soldiers healing from a variety of physical and emotional combat wounds, embodying the campaign motto that, "When They Come Back, We Give Back."

www.BootCampaign.com

Media contact: Erin Cook or O'Ryan McKinney, Jensen Communications, 626-585-9575 or [email protected] / [email protected]

SOURCE The Boot Campaign