1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,320 Here we are here on Veterans Radio and we have a really great opportunity today. We're talking 2 00:00:04,320 --> 00:00:08,800 with representatives from the Wounded Warrior Foundation and they're going to be talking to 3 00:00:08,800 --> 00:00:17,600 us today about the upcoming National Non-profit Day which is going to be on Saturday the 17th. 4 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:24,240 The Wounded Warriors work with many corporations in helping with fundraising for the community, 5 00:00:24,240 --> 00:00:29,200 of course, and we know that the Wounded Warriors are designed to help veterans mostly from the 6 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:35,520 post-911 generation of veterans, but of course it's all across the country and they're doing 7 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:40,320 really great things. So joining me real quickly today we've got, and I'm hoping I'm going to 8 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:44,880 mess these names up too badly, but I've got Brea Todd from the Wounded Warrior Project. 9 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:51,600 I've got Brian Tucker from CSX and I've got Olivia Parker from Parker's Kitchen. Is that correct? 10 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:56,240 So I'll start off with Brea. Tell us about the programs and services that are offered to veterans 11 00:00:56,240 --> 00:01:02,240 through the Wounded Warrior Project. So Wounded Warrior Project offers free programs and services 12 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:07,360 to warriors and their family members. In those programs focus in areas such as mental and brain 13 00:01:07,360 --> 00:01:14,480 health, financial health and wellness, connection events, advocacy efforts, as well as physical 14 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:20,080 health and wellness. And we serve warriors in their communities and we meet them where they are in 15 00:01:20,080 --> 00:01:27,200 their recovery journey. And how are we doing this corporate partner? Where did you come up with this? 16 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:34,000 Yes, so we've been really fortunate to work with corporate partners such as CSX and Parker's Kitchen 17 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:38,640 for a number of years and there's many ways in which a corporate partner can work with us, 18 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:45,920 ranging from engaging their employees to sponsorships. You'll hear later about how they 19 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:51,760 engage with our programs specifically and also how they engage their customer base. So we work with 20 00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:56,960 corporate partner in a way that makes sense to them and they help us further our mission 21 00:01:56,960 --> 00:02:03,040 and really amplify our efforts. Well, I know it's really hard. As a small non-profit sales, 22 00:02:03,040 --> 00:02:08,960 you know, working with corporations has always helped us out greatly. You know, once they find 23 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:13,520 out what the mission is, it seems like everybody's, oh, this is a great way to help veterans and, 24 00:02:13,520 --> 00:02:18,400 you know, just the corporate name is always helpful, I think. Isn't it for you? 25 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:27,120 Absolutely. When a trusted brand such as CSX or Parker's Kitchen aligns with our brand and you see 26 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:31,520 their name next to Wounded Warrior Project, I think it just goes a long way and it really 27 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:36,720 instills faith and trust, as you mentioned, within the customers, within warriors in the community 28 00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:41,600 that maybe aren't familiar with Wounded Warrior Project and also with the employees of those 29 00:02:41,600 --> 00:02:47,040 organizations as they get behind the efforts to support us. Right. It absolutely helps with that 30 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:52,240 credibility. You know, people, sometimes people are a little cynical out there, but you know, 31 00:02:52,240 --> 00:02:56,720 when you get a brand name that says, you know, the Wounded Warrior Project is a great organization, 32 00:02:56,720 --> 00:03:03,920 that's really going to be helpful. So let me kind of shift over here to Brian. And Brian is the 33 00:03:03,920 --> 00:03:10,400 Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement and Sustainability with CSX. So Brian, how did you 34 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:14,640 get involved with the Wounded Warrior Project and what is it that's helping CSX? 35 00:03:16,800 --> 00:03:23,200 Well, at CSX we like to think that service is really part of our DNA. Every day, the 23,000 36 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:28,240 railroaders of CSX, the men and women of our company are hard at work serving America's economy, 37 00:03:28,240 --> 00:03:33,360 keeping goods and moving across the country. But service does really runs even deeper than that. 38 00:03:33,360 --> 00:03:40,080 People are surprised to know that about one in five of our employees is actually a veteran. And, 39 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:48,640 you know, to recognize this, we've taken this commitment to serving those who serve by partnering 40 00:03:48,640 --> 00:03:54,080 with organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project to provide support and resources to 41 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:58,160 America's heroes, the veterans who served this country so selflessly. 42 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:05,040 Well, I know, and how are you utilizing this program with the Wounded Warrior Project? 43 00:04:05,040 --> 00:04:10,800 Well, we engage with the Wounded Warrior Project in a number of ways. And what's so great about our 44 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:15,200 partnership and what's so great about the Wounded Warrior Project itself is that they've grown 45 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:21,120 with us. We've grown our partnership over the years to do a number of things. But one of the 46 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:26,800 things that we're really excited about is the Warriors to Work program, specifically the drone 47 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:31,520 certification program that we have with the Wounded Warrior Project. We all know that the 48 00:04:31,520 --> 00:04:37,920 veterans often struggle with that transition from service life to civilian life. And through the 49 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:44,240 drone certification program, we're able to ease that transition by providing them on the job, 50 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:51,280 training with our experts, our equipment, and help actually get them certified drone, 51 00:04:51,280 --> 00:04:58,160 certified drone, as drone pilots through this program, which will help them get employment, 52 00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:05,840 either with CSX or another company, and also help them even start their own companies, 53 00:05:05,840 --> 00:05:12,000 which we've actually seen. So there's been, we've trained over 50 Warriors over the years that we've 54 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:16,480 done this program, and it's just been wildly successful and something that we hope grows even 55 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:21,200 more. Well, I think it's just terrific what you're doing to help these veterans with their 56 00:05:21,200 --> 00:05:25,520 transition, you know, that the amazing skills that they learn while they're in the service, 57 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:31,520 many companies don't want to, you know, don't want to deal with that transitional part of their, 58 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:34,560 you know, when they get out and the skills that they're bringing with them. And it sounds like 59 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:40,160 CSX is doing a great job. Thank you for doing that. Well, thank you. Veterans make the best 60 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:47,920 railroaders, as a fact. Well, they do know how to follow orders, that's for sure. So next up is, 61 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:54,880 I've got Olivia Parker, and she's a communications outreach manager for Parker's Kitchen. So first 62 00:05:54,880 --> 00:05:58,800 of all, Olivia, tell us what Parker's Kitchen is, and then tell us how you got involved with 63 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:05,920 Wounded Warriors. Yeah, so Parker's Kitchen, we have 90 stores across Georgia, South Carolina, 64 00:06:06,640 --> 00:06:13,920 in Florida, where convenient store chain, family owned and run, you know, with being a big business 65 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:20,880 across a pretty vast footprint. We really think we have a duty to give back in big ways to our 66 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:26,880 communities that we're in. And the heroes pillar, which is where our partnership with Wounded Warrior 67 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:33,280 Project came from, you know, we really wanted to focus on finding the right partner. And it took 68 00:06:33,280 --> 00:06:39,520 us a lot of, you know, looking. And finally, we started our partnership in March of this year, 69 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:46,400 our first kind of step to action with Wounded Warrior Project was doing a roundup campaign. So 70 00:06:46,400 --> 00:06:51,680 our customers were able to round up their transactions to the nearest dollar to give back 71 00:06:51,680 --> 00:06:58,240 to the Wounded Warrior Project. And then our foundation is matching 25% of all customer donations. 72 00:06:58,240 --> 00:07:04,000 So I'm thrilled to say that in the first four months, we have been able to donate over $300,000 73 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:10,400 to Wounded Warrior Project, which will be going back to help empower the lives of veterans and 74 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:14,960 their families within our footprint across Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. 75 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:22,400 I'm stunned. I'm listening, 300,000 in a quarter. That is truly awesome. What a great 76 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:26,560 opportunity for a Wounded Warrior Project and of course for the people that they helped too. 77 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:32,720 But what a great way to promote Parker's Kitchen. So I mean, I'm in Michigan, so I'm not that familiar, 78 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:38,640 unfortunately, with your organization. But I hope that many more people should pick up on this. 79 00:07:39,360 --> 00:07:43,440 Yeah, definitely. I think, you know, I think our customers are always kind of looking 80 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:50,000 and customers just around the country are looking to big brands like ourselves to really figure out, 81 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:55,280 you know, who are the right people to really volunteer and give back to. And we just really 82 00:07:55,280 --> 00:08:01,280 want to help, you know, get our customers ingrained in giving and kind of having this camaraderie 83 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:06,800 approach. And, you know, us as the brand really making sure that we have a good duty of spreading 84 00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:12,400 awareness on who Wounded Warrior Project is and helping people realize exactly all of the programs 85 00:08:12,400 --> 00:08:17,360 that they offer and how they, you know, really help rehabilitate the lives of service members. 86 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:22,800 You know, when they do come back, I think it's just an amazing mission. And there's so many 87 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:27,760 great organizations out there. But, you know, the success of our campaign is just a testament to 88 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:32,800 the organization Wounded Warrior Project. People really want to get involved and give back because 89 00:08:32,800 --> 00:08:37,600 they are just that great. And they do so much for local veterans and their families. 90 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:40,960 Well, I think that's that's the kind of the great idea. So I'm going to come back up to you, 91 00:08:40,960 --> 00:08:46,160 Brianna. So how would if I were a corporate, which I'm not, but if I were a corporation 92 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:52,320 owner, how would I get involved with the Wounded Warrior Project? Sure. It's a really easy step. 93 00:08:52,320 --> 00:08:58,480 Just go to WoundedWoyearProject.org and you'll find an area called Ways to Give. And whether 94 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:03,840 you're a company or an individual looking to help support the mission, right there, you'll find a 95 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:08,480 way to connect with us. And I would say that's the same for warriors and family members as well. 96 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:13,200 They can find all of our programs and services listed there in ways that they can engage with us. 97 00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:19,360 Well, it's it's sounds like I mean, it's an additionally great project that you are doing 98 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:26,080 to, you know, spread the word that, you know, so many people are not aware that that veterans 99 00:09:26,080 --> 00:09:31,280 have some issues sometimes when they're transitioning out of the military into civilian life. And 100 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:38,240 the Wounded Warrior has been around for quite a while now. And in a reputation is is great. 101 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:44,240 And I really encourage our audience to go to the Wounded Warrior's Project and find out how you 102 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:49,280 can become involved, not only on the corporate level, but on the individual level. And of course, 103 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:54,800 there's so many services there that are available to the veteran and their families. So I would 104 00:09:54,800 --> 00:10:00,160 really encourage people to go to Wounded Warrior Project to see how you can help each other. 105 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:04,560 And maybe they'll be able to help you too. Is there anything else that any of you would like to add? 106 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:11,600 I would just echo that sentiment. I mean, we've partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project now 107 00:10:11,600 --> 00:10:18,320 for over six years. And they're a tremendous, tremendous partner. They're doing great work 108 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:23,520 in the community addressing so many needs of people who are very deserving. 109 00:10:25,680 --> 00:10:33,360 Okay. Olivia, last word. Yeah, I just I want to encourage people to get out there and, 110 00:10:33,360 --> 00:10:37,680 you know, give back, you know, sometimes you feel like you need to give in a monetary form. 111 00:10:37,680 --> 00:10:43,280 There's so many ways to volunteer through this organization as well. So just taking that first 112 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:47,840 step is probably the best thing to do. And I really encourage everybody to look more into the 113 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:52,800 Wounded Warrior Project. Yeah, check it out. Brea, last word from you. 114 00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:59,600 You know, I think as we're coming up on National Nonprofit Day, it's really an opportunity for 115 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:04,320 individuals, companies, and everyone to take a look at what they're currently doing. And if there 116 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:09,600 is an opportunity or an area of interest in which they can step forward and help make a difference, 117 00:11:09,600 --> 00:11:13,920 there's a lot of people out there with a lot of needs. And I know that there's many people that 118 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:18,720 are willing to step up. And so I would just encourage everyone to do that, especially as we 119 00:11:18,720 --> 00:11:24,960 walk into National Nonprofit Day. Okay. Thank you all very much for joining us here on Veterans 120 00:11:24,960 --> 00:11:30,000 Radio and helping us to spread the word for you for the Wounded Warrior Project and their corporate 121 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:35,040 giving plans. So thank you very much. I look forward to talking to all of you at some time again in the future.