Johnson & Johnson, DoSomething.org and Charity Miles Join Forces with the USO and World Cup Champion Carli Lloyd to Connect Service Members to Family, Home and Country
DoSomething.org's National Campaign "Steps for Soldiers" Calls on Young People to Run, Bike and Walk to Unlock Support for America's Military and their Families
NEW YORK, July 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Beyond everything they do to keep us safe, service members make the sacrifice of spending extended time away from family and friends. Expensive international phone rates and service plans are often out of reach for forward-deployed service members, making connectivity one of the most frequently requested services from men and women in uniform feeling disconnected from the comforts of home.
Since July 1, DoSomething.org – one of the largest organizations for young people and social change – and Johnson & Johnson have teamed up with the USO and Charity Miles to encourage young people to move with a purpose, track their progress on a Charity Miles app and in turn unlock donations to the USO through its national campaign "Steps for Soldiers".
"This program is a unique way for our nation's youth to show they are a force behind our nation's forces," said Kristina Griffin, USO Senior Director, Corporate Alliances. "The national campaign allows participants to enjoy the health and wellness activities they love while supporting the service members and military families who give so much to our nation each day."
Donations will support connectivity (internet, phones and wifi) for forward-deployed service members, helping connect them to family, home and country throughout their service to the nation. At USO centers located in combat zones, service members use the USO's private phone network to make free phone calls home, access computers with free, high-speed internet and free wireless internet for use with their own computers. In 2016, 607,000 calls were placed by deployed service members – that is more than 5.7 million minutes of free talk time for service members to reconnect with their families.
The "Steps for Soldiers" campaign serves as a message of solidarity with active military personnel and young people and places an importance on health and wellness and giving back in their communities.
"Through our work with Johnson & Johnson, we are supporting the health and wellbeing of not only our members, but those who fight for our freedoms and their families," said Aria Finger, CEO and Chief Old Person at DoSomething.org. "By simply getting outside with friends this summer, our members will provide opportunities for service members to stay connected to the people they love."
Carli Lloyd, a FIFA Women's World Cup champion, and two-time FIFA Women's World Player of the Year (2015 & 2016), has joined the campaign by recording a PSA encouraging young people to download the Charity Miles app, select USO as their charity of choice, and get moving. The PSA can be viewed here.
"It's an honor to represent my country on the U.S. Women's National Team so I was excited to partner with Johnson & Johnson and the USO on this campaign" said Lloyd. "We're all moving every day anyway, so why not turn those miles into support for the men and women who help keep us safe".
Every "Steps for Soldiers" participant will have the chance to enter the Johnson & Johnson "Youth Champions of Care" competition. Eleven DoSomething members who explain why the cause is particularly meaningful to them will win a trip for two to a U.S. Women's Soccer Team match and have a special meet-and-greet with soccer star Carli Lloyd.
From July 1 through August 31, DoSomething.org members who upload a screenshot of how far they ran on Charity Miles will be entered for a chance to win a $5K scholarship. For more information about the campaign and how to get involved visit DoSomething.org/steps or texting STEPS to 38383.
About USO
The USO strengthens America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. At hundreds of locations worldwide, we are united in our commitment to connect our service members and their families through countless acts of caring, comfort, and support. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs, services and entertainment tours are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.
About Johnson & Johnson
Caring for the world one person at a time inspires and unites the people of Johnson & Johnson. We embrace research and science – bringing innovative ideas, products and services to advance the health and well-being of people. Our approximately 126,400 employees at more than 230 Johnson & Johnson operating companies work with partners in health care to touch the lives of over a billion people every day, throughout the world.
About DoSomething.org
DoSomething.org is the largest tech company exclusively for young people and social change. We're activating 5.5 million young people (and counting!) to make positive change, online and off, in every US area code and in over 131 countries. When you join DoSomething.org, you join something bigger than yourself. You team up with the young people who have clothed half of America's youth in homeless shelters. And cleaned up 3.7 million cigarette butts from the streets. And run the largest youth-led sports equipment drive in the world. And more! You've got the power and the passion to make an impact -- we'll help you get it done.
SOURCE DoSomething.org
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