ATLANTA, May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aaron's, Inc. will recognize the nation's nearly three million military personnel at the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend NASCAR race through partnerships with the Armed Forces Foundation (AFF) and Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).
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To pay tribute to these brave men and women, the Michael Waltrip Racing No. 55 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota will sport the AFF logo and a patriotic red, white and blue paint scheme. Aaron's driver Mark Martin will debut the car at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte on Sunday, May 27. Aaron's has also joined forces with the AFF to raise additional funds through a texting campaign that encourages partners, customers and friends to text 'AFF' to 50555 and contribute $5 that will support our country's military and their families.
Additionally, Aaron's honored the Wounded Warrior Project by inviting four young WWP members to serve as Grand Marshalls for the Aaron's 312 Nationwide Series race at Talladega last weekend. The WWP representatives presented Aaron's with a commemorative plaque during a special ceremony and expressed appreciation for the Company's support in helping empower Wounded Warriors and meet the needs of injured service members.
Aaron's COO, Ken Butler, said, "Military personnel are recognized at special times throughout the year but we want to thank them every day for the tremendous sacrifices they give to our country. The Armed Forces Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project are two vital organizations that assist these very important citizens and their families."
"Aaron's has been a longtime friend of the military and the Armed Forces Foundation, and every year the Company finds creative and exciting ways to show their support for the nation's military," said Patricia Driscoll, AFF President and Executive Director. "A NASCAR racecar adorned with the AFF logo at the Memorial Day NASCAR race will generate tremendous visibility for our program and will help drive donations that aid military families across the nation."
Aaron's also provides support to veterans by helping them transition to civilian life. Veterans seeking jobs throughout the U.S. in retail can easily search for careers by city by visiting http://jobs.aaronsinc.com.
"Veterans transitioning to civilian life are often excellent employees," said Butler. "The military not only builds leaders but helps them learn how to gather a team, evaluate resources, work toward objectives and then determine successes. These are the type of focused and energetic associates that Aaron's wants to have on our team."
About Aaron's, Inc.
Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), the nation's leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of residential furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, has more than 1,960 Company-operated and franchised stores in 48 states and Canada. Founded in 1955 by entrepreneur and current Chairman R. Charles Loudermilk, Sr. and headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron's has been publicly traded since 1982. For more information, visit www.aarons.com.
About Armed Forces Foundation
The Armed Forces Foundation offers vital assistance to active-duty and retired personnel, National Guard, Reserve Components and military families as they cope with difficult circumstances. When a service member sustains combat injuries overseas, they and their family face a long, difficult road to recovery. The moment a soldier arrives at the hospital, the Armed Forces Foundation steps in to assist the family in traveling to his or her side and provides lodging for them to remain there. The foundation then provides financial assistance, supplementing income while the family waits. Through therapeutic recreational and outreach programs, the AFF helps service members through their physical recovery and provides relief from the mental stress of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Through education and advocacy, we fight for better care and treatment for PTSD. All along the way we provide other opportunities as well, sponsoring military family events and Christmas toy drives. The Armed Forces Foundation lives by the motto "Serving those who serve," and, recognizing that families serve too, seeks to provide a well-rounded program of assistance and support for the military family unit. For more information on our Foundation or to aid us in our mission, visit us at our website www.armedforcesfoundation.org.
About Wounded Warrior Project™
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project™ is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP's purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and service to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
SOURCE Aaron's, Inc.
Garet Hayes, ghayes@hopebeckham.com, +1-404-604-2602