Stephen Curry 2nd in West Backcourt Voting

NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING 2014 PRESENTED BY
SPRINT THIRD RETURNS ANNOUNCED

— Stephen Curry Takes Over Second Place in West Backcourt Voting –

— Final Update before Balloting Concludes on Jan. 20 —

NEW YORK, Jan. 9, 2014 – LeBron James of the Miami Heat and Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder lead their respective conferences, and are separated by only 21,854 votes, after the third returns of NBA All-Star Balloting 2014 presented by Sprint. James, the top overall vote-getter with 1,076,063 votes, is followed in the Eastern Conference by the Indiana Pacers’ Paul George. Durant (1,054,209) is followed in the Western Conference by the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant.

The 63rd NBA All-Star Game will be exclusively televised on TNT from New Orleans Arena on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014. The All-Star Game, also broadcast live on ESPN Radio, will collectively reach fans in 215 countries and territories in more than 40 languages.

James, George (899,671) and the New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony (702,869) pace the Eastern Conference’s frontcourt players. The Heat’s Dwyane Wade (718,109) and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving (652,522) lead Eastern Conference backcourt players.

Durant is joined in the frontcourt in the West by the Houston Rockets’ Dwight Howard (509,116) and the L.A. Clippers’ Blake Griffin (500,964), with the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love (483,031) making a strong push for a starting spot. Bryant (844,538) and the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (677,372) pace all Western Conference backcourt players.

Balloting concludes on Monday, Jan. 20, and starters will be announced live on TNT on Thursday, Jan. 23, during a special one-hour edition of the Emmy Award-winning pregame show Inside the NBA at 7 p.m. ET. The special will air prior to TNT’s exclusive doubleheader featuring the Los Angeles Lakers at the Miami Heat (8 p.m. ET) and the Denver Nuggets at the Portland Trail Blazers (10:30 p.m. ET). Reserves will be announced on Thursday, Jan.30, also on TNT.

NBA All-Star Balloting 2014 presented by Sprint gives fans around the world the opportunity to vote daily for their favorite players as starters for NBA All-Star Game 2014. This year, the NBA expanded social media voting to include Instagram. Fans can use Instagram to vote by posting an original photo, using #NBABallot and the player’s first and last name in the photo caption. Fans can vote for 10 unique players per day.

For the second year in a row, NBA fans can vote via social media networks, including Facebook and Twitter, and Sina Weibo and Tencent Microblog in China. Twitter voting allows fans to tweet a vote for 10 unique players each day throughout the All-Star balloting period. The tweet must include the player’s first and last name, along with hash tag #NBABallot. Facebook voting allows fans to comment on official league, team, or international NBA All-Star Facebook pages by commenting below the post with #NBABallot and the player’s first and last name. Voters can select 10 unique players per day.

NBA fans can also access the ballot and vote through the NBA Game Time and NBA Game Time from Sprint applications, available on Android and iOS. Fans can fill out one full ballot per day, through the NBA Game Time and NBA Game Time from Sprint application, the most comprehensive app in the marketplace for NBA fans.

There are several other ways fans can cast their votes as part of this season’s all-digital program including: in 11 languages on NBA.com/asb, through SMS voting by texting the player’s last name to 6-9-6-2-2 (“MYNBA”) or by visiting NBA.com/asb on any wireless device. Fans can vote for 10 different players per day, per phone number, via SMS voting by sending 10 separate SMS messages, each one with a different player’s last name. Message and data rates may apply. Voters can fill out one full ballot per day on nba.com/asb from a desktop or mobile browser.

NBA All-Star 2014 in New Orleans will bring together some of the most talented and passionate players in the league’s history for a global celebration of the game. TNT will televise the All-Star Game for the 12th consecutive year, marking Turner Sports’ 30th year of All-Star coverage. State Farm All-Star Saturday Night will feature Sears Shooting Stars, Taco Bell Skills Challenge, Foot Locker Three-Point Contest, and Sprite Slam Dunk. Other events at NBA All-Star 2014 will include the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge, Sprint NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, and NBA All-Star Jam Session. The 2014 game will mark the second NBA All-Star celebration in New Orleans. The city also hosted the event in 2008.

NBA ALL-STAR 2014 BALLOTING PRESENTED BY SPRINT

Eastern Conference

Frontcourt
1. LeBron James (Mia) 1,076,063
2. Paul George (Ind) 899,671
3. Carmelo Anthony (NYK) 702,869
4. Roy Hibbert (Ind) 385,964
5. Chris Bosh (Mia) 304,986
6. Kevin Garnett (BKN) 164,021
7. Joakim Noah (Chi) 128,201
8. Andre Drummond (Det) 120,844
9. Tyson Chandler (NYK) 101,637
10. Jeff Green (Bos) 96,336
11. Luol Deng (Cle) 90,730
12. Carlos Boozer (Chi) 80,271
13. Paul Pierce (BKN) 72,581
14. David West (Ind) 61,612
15. Brook Lopez (BKN) 58,477

Backcourt
1. Dwyane Wade (Mia) 718,109
2. Kyrie Irving (Cle) 652,522
3. Derrick Rose (Chi) 323,099
4. John Wall (Was) 278,516
5. Ray Allen (Mia) 190,086
6. Rajon Rondo (Bos) 133,448
7. Deron Williams (BKN) 95,309
8. George Hill (Ind) 89,428
9. Lance Stephenson (Ind) 77,364
10. DeMar DeRozan (Tor) 68,985

Western Conference

Frontcourt
1. Kevin Durant (OKC) 1,054,209
2. Dwight Howard (Hou) 509,116
3. Blake Griffin (LAC) 500,964
4. Kevin Love (Min) 483,031
5. LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 404,793
6. Tim Duncan (Por) 385,342
7. Anthony Davis (NO) 223,956
8. Pau Gasol (LAL) 207,213
9. Andre Iguodala (GS) 192,616
10. Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 156,792
11. DeMarcus Cousins (Sac) 148,604
12. David Lee (GS) 141,509
13. Chandler Parsons (Hou) 135,387
14. Omer Asik (Hou) 101,372
15. Kawhi Leonard (SA) 91,859

Backcourt
1. Kobe Bryant (LAL) 844,538
2. Stephen Curry (GS) 677,372
3. Chris Paul (LAC) 651,073
4. Jeremy Lin (Hou) 471,980
5. James Harden (Hou) 338,788
6. Russell Westbrook (OKC) 260,499
7. Tony Parker (SA) 195,328
8. Damian Lillard (Por) 162,363
9. Klay Thompson (GS) 108,404
10. Ricky Rubio (Min) 97,265

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Support #ThanksUSA this #GivingTuesday!

Today is #GivingTuesday and ThanksUSA has joined with thousands of non-profits around the country to celebrate this national movement dedicated to celebrating giving and volunteering.

Together we can support the men and women of the U.S. military by providing their families with the gift of a college scholarship.

Give The Gift of Gab

Donate your Facebook status or Tweet – tell your friends about how you support military families with ThanksUSA
Follow ThanksUSA on social media
Twitter – @ThanksUSA
Facebook /ThanksUSA
Share your #unselfie on social media – Take a pic, tag it #unselfie #givingtuesday and #ThanksUSA and upload it to your social networks.

Help us give a gift that will last well beyond the holiday season.

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ThanksUSA Announces TH9!

THANKSUSA ANNOUNCES NINTH ANNUAL TREASURE HUNT CHALLENGE

November 26, 2013, Washington, DC – ThanksUSA and their partner the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Foundation today announced the launch of the ninth annual ThanksUSA Treasure Hunt (TH9), a free, fully interactive digital trivia and puzzle game about U.S. history, culture and values. The hunt supports ThanksUSA’s annual scholarship fund to benefit the children and spouses of active-duty military personnel by providing need-based scholarships for two-year or four-year colleges, vocational or technical schools. The focus of this year’s hunt will be the United States Bill of Rights.

The digital trivia game will be assessable starting Thanksgiving Day, November 28. Participants will be quizzed on the Bill of Rights’ history, purpose and implications on American life. It is the first of six Treasure Hunt chapters available for free online (www.thanksusa.org) and via mobile application.

“Treasure Hunt 9 promises to be one of our most challenging contests ever, engaging students and their families across the country while reminding them of the sacrifices of our troops,” said ThanksUSA Executive Director Michele Stork. “The ESA Foundation’s continued support for the contest and scholarships will help ThanksUSA cross the $10 million mark in scholarships.”

The ESA Foundation has underwritten the annual Treasure Hunt series for five years and also funds 25 “ESA Foundation/ThanksUSA Scholarships” annually. Since its inception in 2005, more than 12,000 Americans have engaged in ThanksUSA treasure hunts that reflect the nation’s history, values and culture while raising awareness and funds for the educational pursuits of military families.

“The U.S. video game industry is proud to support our nation’s troops and their families,” said Jenny Lai, vice president of the ESA Foundation. “We are proud to help educate children through the use of digital technology and bring our unique and impactful resources to augment ThanksUSA’s remarkable mission and work.”

Following the official launch of Treasure Hunt Nine on November 28, subsequent chapters will be introduced on the first of each month beginning January 1, 2014. The six-month Bill of Rights challenge will close on May 31, 2014, and will be followed by a summer bonus round slated for July 4 – August 15, 2014.

Four players who correctly answer each chapter’s questions will each receive a $250 Walmart gift certificate. A grand prize – a $500 Walmart gift card – will be drawn from the pool of individuals who correctly answer all questions in each round.

The Treasure Hunt series serves to generate attention and donations for ThanksUSA’s annual scholarship fund. Since 2006, ThanksUSA award over 3,000 need-based scholarships valued at nearly $10 million to families representing all branches of the armed services across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

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About ThanksUSA
Founded in the fall of 2005, ThanksUSA, a non-partisan 501(c) (3) organization, is an effort to thank the men and women of our armed forces and their families for their service to the country with the gift of education. The organization provides need-based, post-secondary education opportunities to the children and spouses of active-duty status military personnel through competitive scholarships. For more information, please visit www.ThanksUSA.org.

About the ESA Foundation
The ESA Foundation was created by the American interactive entertainment software industry to support and provide opportunities that can make a difference in the lives of America’s youth. The Foundation is fully supported by proceeds from industry projects and and its annual fundraiser, “A Nite to Unite – for Kids.” For more information about the ESA Foundation, please visit www.ESAFoundation.org

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ThanksUSA Benefit Concert at The Greenbrier

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3rd Annual Stephen Curry ThanksUSA Golf Tournament

Stephen Curry Pays it Forward After Golden NBA Season with ThanksUSA
NBA star inspires major contribution to military families from The Ron Conway Family

McLean, Va. – After finishing a spectacular year on the hardwood, NBA superstar Stephen Curry will once again raise funds and awareness for ThanksUSA, a national non-profit that provides need-based scholarships to the children and spouses of active-duty military personnel. Serving as the charity’s national spokesperson since 2010, Curry will host the third annual Stephen Curry ThanksUSA Golf Tournament on September 23, 2013, in San Francisco at the Presido Golf Course.

New to the event in 2013, ThanksUSA and Curry are pleased to welcome The Ron Conway Family as a major sponsor for this year’s golf tournament. The 25-year-old gained national fame this season as he propelled the Golden State Warriors through the early rounds of the NBA playoffs and set a NBA single-season record with 272 three-pointers.

Stephen Curry and his father, Dell Curry, at the 2012 Stephen Curry ThanksUSA Golf Tournament

“After a memorable season for myself and my teammates, I hope to inspire that same kind of dedication and teamwork through ThanksUSA to help our military families reach their potential, too,” said Curry.

“Having benefited from a college scholarship myself, I know how important it is to receive the gift of education. I am excited to welcome The Ron Conway Family to this event and am looking forward to another great golf tournament.”

“Stephen energized our state and basketball fans across the country with his performance on the court this year,” said Ron Conway, an active philanthropist and technology industry angel investor at SV Angel who has funded countless startups, including Google, Facebook, Twitter, Square, and Pinterest. “Stephen is a natural leader, and the Conway family is proud to work alongside him and ThanksUSA to show our appreciation for the sacrifices made by our military families.”

The Stephen Curry ThanksUSA Golf Tournament will bring together Mayor Ed Lee, Curry’s father and former NBA standout, Dell Curry, and several of Curry’s Golden State Warriors teammates, as well as other sports and entertainment VIPs, members of the military, local community leaders and corporate representatives at the Presidio Golf Club, 300 Finley Road, San Francisco, Calif.

For more information about sponsorship or participation, please contact ThanksUSA Executive Director Michele Stork at (703) 855-4108 or MicheleStork@ThanksUSA.org. For media inquiries, please contact Alyssa Romano at alyssa.romano@octagon.com.

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About ThanksUSA:
Founded in the fall of 2005, ThanksUSA, a non-partisan 501(c) (3) organization, is an effort to thank the men and women of our armed forces and their families for their service to the country with the gift of education. The organization provides need-based, post-secondary education opportunities to the children and spouses of active-duty status military personnel through need-based scholarships. For more information, visit www.ThanksUSA.org.

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Washington Kastles Military Appreciation Night

NOVA/DC area ThanksUSA scholars & military families:  The Washington Kastles will host Military Appreciation Night on Monday, July 22nd. See Martina Hingis and the Kastles take on the Philadelphia Freedoms! ThanksUSA has a limited number of FREE tickets available for our scholars and local military families. If you’re interested, please message us on Facebook.

We will fulfill requests on a first come/first serve basis.  If you miss out on our free tickets, don’t despair…Active-duty, veterans, and military family members can get Buy One, Get One 50% Off tickets through ticketmaster using promo code WKMN13.

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ThanksUSA Benefit Concert

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ThanksUSA Benefit Concert & Baseball Fundraiser

ThanksUSA benefit concert hosted by Caleb Harris

Caleb Harris is hosting a benefit concert at Clarendon Grill on Sunday June 23, 2013. Proceeds will benefit ThanksUSA— a non-partisan charitable effort to “thank” the men and women of the armed forces by providing need-based scholarships for their children and spouses (visit ThanksUSA.org for more information about ThanksUSA).

Doors will open at 5:00PM and cover band Partners in Crime will go on at 6:15. Clarendon Grill is offering drink specials, including $2 domestic drafts & bottles from 5:00-7:00PM. 100% of the $10 door cover will go to ThanksUSA. Door cover will include one raffle ticket and prizes will be drawn throughout the night. Additional raffle tickets will be available for purchase.

Clarendon Grill

1101 N Highland St

Arlington, VA  22201

June 23, 2013

Time: 5:00 pm 

If you would like to donate a raffle prize for the concert, please contact Caleb at:

Email: cmharri12@gmail.com
Cell: 304-667-7538

 Step up to the plate to ThanksUSA with Caleb Harris at Nationals Park

In addition to the concert, Caleb has partnered with the Washington Nationals to offer fundraiser tickets for the June 27^th baseball game at Nationals Park against the Arizona Diamondbacks.  The Nationals have agreed to donate $20 to ThanksUSA for every ticket purchased on their website using promo code CALEB.  Tickets can be purchase at http://nationals.com/tickets or click HERE to go directly to the ticket purchase page for the June 27^th game.

Donation can also be made directly to ThanksUSA using credit card or PayPal at: Donate to ThanksUSA.  Please don’t change the “donation towards” field.  It should be set to “KPMG USA” in order to pool all of our contributions.

Our total fundraising effort will be recognized during a pre-game, on-field donation presentation ceremony on June 27^th at Nationals Park.  So purchase your ticket, make a donation, and then come out to Nationals Park to see the result of your efforts!

Nationals Park

1500 South Capitol Street SE

Washington, DC  20003

June 27, 2013

Time: 4:00 pm

 

 

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Tennis Thanks the Troops 2013

 

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2013

A Win for Military Families as ThanksUSA and U.S. Professional Tennis Association Partner to Provide Scholarships

Champions Lisa Raymond and Bob and Mike Bryan Join the Team

McLean, VA, 17 May 2013 – ThanksUSA and the U.S. Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) are gearing up for their second annual Tennis Thanks the Troops fundraising campaign to support scholarships for the children and spouses of U.S. service men and women. With May recognized nationally as Military Appreciation Month, the two organizations will be recruiting the country’s USPTA Professionals, clubs, players and tennis fans in organizing tournaments and other special events to raise funds throughout Memorial Day weekend.

Tennis stars Lisa Raymond and Mike and Bob Bryan have returned for a second year to support the effort by participating in public service announcements promoting Tennis Thanks the Troops.

“Global combat operations are ending but the mission of our troops – to protect our nation and our freedoms – persists. As does our responsibility to continue supporting them,”said Bob Okun, chairman and CEO of ThanksUSA. “We are proud to thank our armed forces and their families for their daily sacrifices through the gift of education.”

ThanksUSA provides need-based, post-secondary scholarships to the children and spouses of active-duty personnel across all the Armed Forces, the National Guard and Reserves, as well as families of the fallen and wounded.

“Clubs with USPTA pros are developing creative events that will help ThanksUSA award 500 scholarships worth $1.5 million this year, helping make U.S. military families the real winners,” said Michele Stork, executive director of ThanksUSA.

Throughout Memorial Day weekend, May 25-27, participating USPTA Professionals at various facilities will collect a minimum voluntary donation of $5 from tennis players, professionals, members, guests and fans to support ThanksUSA. Facilities will have flexibility on their donation-collection options, including choosing among tournaments/contests, lessons and silent auctions, and can also hold fundraising events on other weekends throughout the year.

“There’s certainly a lot of attention on supporting those initiatives that help our troops of late and rightfully so,” said USPTA CEO John Embree. “As an association, we intend to do our part using pros who are community-minded and want to show their dedication to the military by making a valuable contribution to those efforts.”

Leading the charge are the San Diego District Tennis Association through its annual Tennis Fest and the Berkeley Hills Country Club in Duluth, Ga., with a Tennis Thanks the Troops Memorial Day Mixer. All participating facilities will be competing to raise the most money for the campaign, with the winner able to send their pro and one guest to the US Open in New York on Aug. 30.

For more information on the Tennis Thanks the Troops campaign, visit the Tennis Thanks the Troops webpage. Join the team and show your gratitude to our military men and women and their families!

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About the USPTA: Founded in 1927, USPTA strives to raise the standards of the tennis profession while promoting greater awareness of the sport. USPTA offers nearly 70 professional benefits to its more than 15,000 members worldwide, including certification and professional development. With more than 300 days of educational opportunities throughout the year, USPTA offers the most comprehensive continuing education program in the tennis industry. For more information, call 800-877-8248 or visit www.uspta.com.

About ThanksUSA: ThanksUSA is a non-partisan, charitable effort to mobilize Americans of all ages to “thank” the men and women of the United States armed forces. The organization provides college, technical and vocational school scholarships for the children and spouses of active-duty status military personnel. For more information, visit www.thanksusa.org.

CONTACT:
Poornima Rimm, Director of Public Relations
USPTA
713-978-7782, ext. 125
Poornima.Rimm@USPTA.org

Michele Stork, Executive Director
ThanksUSA
703-855-4108
MicheleStork@ThanksUSA.org

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26TH ANNUAL SEA SERVICE LEADERSHIP ASSOCIATION’S JOINT WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM

Military women from each of the five service branches are encouraged to register for the Sea Service Leadership Association’s Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium, which has been rescheduled for June 6-7, 2013. For the past 26 years, the symposium has focused on service readiness and remains dedicated to networking, education and professional development for Armed Forces service members. To learn more and register, go to: www.sealeader.org

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Military Appreciation Monday to benefit ThanksUSA

MILITARY APPRECIATION MONDAYS

Supports ThanksUSA

A great group of Virginian business owners hosts a monthly dinner to raise funds for organizations that support our beloved military. This month, ThanksUSA is honored to be the chosen organization for May’s Military Appreciation Monday.

Make your reservations now for dinner on Monday, May 13th, at The Old Brogue in Great Falls. Seatings will be at 5:30 and 7:30, and no donations is necessary…just enjoy a delicious dinner while supporting ThanksUSA’s mission!

Bob Nelson of Keller Williams Realty in Great Falls speaks about this wonderful fundraising effort:

“We have been doing monthly dinners at the Old Brogue in Great Falls, Va. for the past five years. These started out as small events with 10-15 of our friends and have now grown to attracting anywhere from 80-140 people. About 80 percent of attendees are our regulars while the other 20 percent are first time attendees. Most of the money raised is through our regular cosponsor donations. Myself and these cosponsors each make a ten percent donation based on what you spend for dinner. We also conduct a door prize drawing. Our typical match comes in at between 150-200 percent of the total dinner tab.”

So don’t delay – call The Old Brogue at (703) 759-3309 to make your dinner reservation and print out this flyer to share with your neighbors and coworkers:

Our sincerest appreciation to Bob Nelson and these generous business sponsors:

The Old Brogue

Gary Kaihara, DDS

Double Eagle Title

Blue River IT

Al’s Towing and Storage

Taylor Allgyer – First Savings Mortgage

James Gaudiosi – Atlantic Coast Mortgage

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Raise a Racquet in Support of ThanksUSA!

San Diego Tennis Fest

To help ThanksUSA and the USPTA kick off “Tennis Thanks the Troops,” the San Diego District Tennis Association (SDDTA) will hold it’s annual Tennis Fest on Sunday, May 5th.

Holly & SGT Lam Le, USMC

In 2012, USPTA clubs around the country hosted events and collected donations for ThanksUSA scholarships during Tennis Thanks the Troops. Since SDDTA raised the most ($3,350), they were awarded two tickets to the U.S. Open. Always supportive of our military heroes, SDDTA presented the tickets to Wounded Warrior U.S. Marine Corps SGT Lam Le and his wife, Holly.

If you’re in the San Diego area, you can help SDDTA compete for those 2013 U.S. Open tickets! The first 800 pre-registered participants will receive a 2013 Tennis Fest T-shirt and a welcome bag, so register today at www.sandiegotennis.com and help SDDTA win those Tennis Thanks the Troops U.S. Open tickets! Click the flyer below for more info:

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2013 Tennis Thanks the Troops Campaign

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 25, 2013

USPTA and ThanksUSA continue campaign to Thank the Troops

As part of “Tennis Thanks the Troops,” the United States Professional Tennis Association and ThanksUSA will continue to team up to encourage USPTA professionals to fund scholarships for the families of military men and women.

The nationwide campaign which was launched in 2012, has the support of
Men’s Doubles Champions and No. 1- ranked doubles team Bob and Mike Bryan and WTA Tour’s previously No. 1-ranked doubles player and US Open Doubles Champion Lisa Raymond as spokespersons. Click here for a public service announcement created by the Bryan Brothers to support Tennis Thanks The Troops that was featured on Tennis Channel.

USPTA members can help by donating a portion of their lessons or clinic fees taught during Memorial Day Weekend 2013 (or any other weekend/date). USPTA Professionals can provide the opportunity for their students and club members to donate $5 for the cause or they can run a simple round robin or other event with all or a portion of the proceeds being donated to ThanksUSA. The club raising the most money for the ThanksUSA charity will receive two tickets to the US Open and the opportunity to send their pro to New York, including airlines and hotel.

For more information visit uspta.com or ThanksUSA.org.

“There’s certainly lots of attention on supporting those initiatives that help our troops of late and rightfully so,” said USPTA CEO John Embree. “As an association, we intend to do our part using pros who are community-minded and want to show their dedication to the military by making a valuable contribution to those efforts.”

Through Lessons for Life, which became USPTA’s national charitable program in 1999, the USPTA encourages its members to use tennis as a vehicle to help others through fundraising activities in their communities. The collaboration with ThanksUSA is an added component of the program, and one that strives to mobilize USPTA members to raise funds to help families of military personnel, specifically by providing scholarships.

“ThanksUSA’s partnership with the USPTA is a profound example of how much Americans treasure our troops and recognize the sacrifices they and their families make to keep those of us here at home safe,” said ThanksUSA CEO and Chair Bob Okun. “Your help gives our returning soldiers and those still in danger zones the ability to ensure that the futures of their children and spouses are made equally secure through education.”

In the past year alone, ThanksUSA received 1,800 applications from the spouses and children of our armed forces. While ThanksUSA was able to provide 300 scholarships valued at $3,000 each, the organization could only meet a small portion of the need among deserving applicants. In 2013, ThanksUSA seeks to award at least 500 scholarships totaling $1.5 million.

ThanksUSA’s scholarship program is unique in that both spouses and children of active-duty men and women can apply to the same organization for support. The scholarships are need-based – enabling those who most need and deserve the opportunity to transform their lives through higher education the opportunity to do so. Since ThanksUSA’s inception in 2006, it has awarded 2,800 scholarships for a total value of almost $8.5 million.

Scholarship recipients represent all military branches – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve – and come from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

About the USPTA: Founded in 1927, USPTA strives to raise the standards of the tennis profession while promoting greater awareness of the sport. USPTA offers nearly 70 professional benefits to its more than 15,000 members worldwide, including certification and professional development. With more than 300 days of educational opportunities throughout the year, USPTA offers the most comprehensive continuing education program in the tennis industry. For more information, call 800-877-8248 or visit http://www.uspta.com.

About ThanksUSA: ThanksUSA is a non-partisan, charitable effort to mobilize Americans of all ages to “thank” the men and women of the United States armed forces. We’re doing that by providing college, technical and vocational school scholarships for their children and spouses. For more information, visit http://www.thanksusa.org.

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CONTACT:
Poornima Rimm, Dir. of Public Relations
USPTA
713-978-7782, ext. 125
poornima.rimm@uspta.org

Michele Stork, Executive Director
ThanksUSA
703-855-4108
MicheleStork@ThanksUSA.org

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Military Appreciation Monday

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Homefront Celebration for MilSpouses

Operation Homefront will host a Homefront Celebration for military spouses in Fairfield, CA (Travis AFB area), on February 2nd.  OH reports, “The Homefront Celebrations are designed to give military spouses a lovely evening out experience with a catered meal, inspirational speaker, door prizes, and a fabulous goody bag!  The night is designed to create a relaxing, luxurious event for military spouses to enjoy a night off from the pressures of life, kids, and service, and focus on themselves and making new friends.

Each military spouse will feel welcomed and enveloped in appreciation and care from the time they walk through the door until the end of the evening.”

Interested MilSpouses can register for the Fairfield Homefront Celebration here.

Celebrations will be held in various locations throughout the country, so check your local OH field office, or the OH website for more info.

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ThanksUSA Finance Manager

ThanksUSA

Finance Manager

 

Position

Thanks USA seeks a full-time salaried (exempt) experienced person to manage the organization’s financial operations. The position will report to the Executive Director and will provide strategic leadership and day to day operational support in all aspects of financial management.

 

Responsibilities

• Manage all accounting processing functions accounts payable (bill.com), billings, receivables, deposits data entry (Donor Perfect), donor receipts and acknowledgement.
• Provide data to our external accountants on a monthly and quarterly basis and review the schedules and reports as needed.
• Actively manage and monitor cash flow and reporting.
• Manage Payroll process and work with third party payroll services provider.
• Responsible for events’ financial management including check requests, invoicing, and reporting.
• Assist with budget preparation and ad-hoc projects and assignments as needed.
• Assist in maintaining and establishing new (as needed) internal accounting policies, procedures, and effective  internal controls to ensure that all financial transactions are executed and documented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
• Responsible for legal compliance matters including overseeing audits and appropriate, timely submission of regulatory filings (including annual tax filings such as form 990, 1099s).
• Serve as liaison to independent auditors and oversee year-end accruals, audit work papers and audit preparation.
• Advise the executive director on financial accounting, planning, budgeting, cash flow, and other financial matters.
• Maintain good working relationships with vendors, banks, brokers and outside auditor
• Responsible for negotiation and renewal of Insurance policies, as needed.
• Maintain continuous lines of communication, keeping the executive director informed of all critical issues, and be current on trends in his or her profession.
• Support and/or work with other organizational activities and personnel as needed (i.e. event planning, communications, etc.) to support the organization’s mission

 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting.
• Master’s in business administration preferred.
• CPA experience preferred.
• Minimum six years experience as an accountant or in a management role ideally with both external audit and in-house financial non-profit management experience gained in a high-growth organization.
• Deep knowledge of non-profit finance and accounting standards and requirements.
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills including negotiation and conflict- resolution.
• Self reliant and results oriented.
• Proven ability to work with efficiency and flexibility.
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance and administration initiatives.
• Solid written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Passionate about ThanksUSA’s mission and impact.
• Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in organizational settings.
• Remain focused in the face of pressure, delivers against timelines, not intimidated by tasks/time limitations.

Compensation

ThanksUSA offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, an excellent benefits package and an exciting team environment.

 

How to Apply

Interested applicants should send a resume and a brief cover letter explaining their interest for consideration to Michele Stork at michelestork@thanksusa.org. Opportunity is available immediately.

ThanksUSA is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to ensure fair and equal treatment of its employees and constituents regardless of culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, or sexual orientation.

 

Background Check

Due to the confidentiality risk associated with maintaining sensitive documents and financial invoices, the prospective candidate may be required to participate in a background check. This is beneficial for the company to know if the candidate is the right person to handle confidential material for their organization.

 

About ThanksUSA

ThanksUSA is a non-partisan, charitable effort to mobilize Americans of all ages to “thank” the men and women of the United States armed forces. We’re doing that by providing need-based college, technical and vocational school scholarships for their children and spouses. For more information, please visit www.ThanksUSA.org

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ThanksUSA partners with Be a Hero-Hire a Hero/The Judge Group

 

Military Families to Receive Scholarships Thanks to Unique Partnership

Between ThanksUSA and Be a Hero-Hire a Hero/The Judge Group

Washington, DC, December 21, 2012 – ThanksUSA today announced that it is partnering with Be a Hero-Hire a Hero/The Judge Group, the nation’s premiere organization for veterans transitioning to civilian life, to provide ThanksUSA need-based scholarships to the children and spouses of America’s troops.  The partnership brings together career and educational opportunities for the first time to build and strengthen the next generation of American leaders from the ranks of veterans, active personnel and military families.

“Our veterans and troops deserve every career opportunity when they return home and through our career expos we are able to help them make the transition to the work force.  Adding an education component takes it to the next level,” said Jeff Klare, CEO and founder of Be a Hero-Hire a Hero.  “With the scholarship funding passion and knowledge ThanksUSA brings, our military families will establish the next tier of leadership in the U.S.”

The joint effort will culminate in the biggest career event for veterans and their families in U.S. history: On September 27, 2013 in Washington, D.C. ThanksUSA, along with the Veterans Aid Foundation, will host the Be a Hero-Hire a Hero/The Judge Group Veteran’s Career Expo that will also be linked digitally to U.S. military bases worldwide.  Up to 500 corporations are expected to participate and sponsor the event with a portion of the funds benefiting ThanksUSA.

“This partnership will strengthen our military’s lifeline to the workforce by offering them the educational tools they need as they and their families transition to civilian life and look to the future,” said ThanksUSA Executive Director Michele Stork.  “The Career Expo means that we will be able to thank dozens more military families for their sacrifice through the gift of education.”

ThanksUSA was launched in 2005 when two Virginia schoolgirls set out to recruit Americans to thank active-duty troops in all branches of the Armed Forces, including the Reserves and National Guard, for defending our freedoms.  Since its inception, the national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization has awarded nearly $8.5 million in need-based two-year and four-year college and vocational education scholarships to 2,800 military families in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

“We are thrilled at the prospect of serving up to 10,000 veterans at what will be the largest Veteran’s Career Expo ever conducted and the thousands more veterans around the world,” said Klare.  “The ThanksUSA scholarships will give them even more options as they transition to life here at home.”

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 About ThanksUSA

Founded in the fall of 2005, ThanksUSA, a non-partisan 501(c) (3) organization, is an effort to thank the men and women of our armed forces and their families for their service to the country with the gift of education. The organization provides need-based, post-secondary education opportunities to the children and spouses of active-duty status military personnel through competitive scholarships. For more information, please visit www.ThanksUSA.org.

About Be a Hero-Hire a Hero

Be A Hero-Hire A Hero has been hosting successful Veteran’s Career Expos for eight years while creating hiring initiatives to show our appreciation for all the sacrifices our men and women serving in the military have made. Now it is our turn to give back! Veterans are in need of assistance as they transition back into civilian life, seeking employment and becoming productive members of the work-force. We are here to help.  For more information, visit us on the web at www.beahero-hireahero.com or call toll free (800) 238-5373.

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Veterans Day Salute to the Troops 2012

A big shout out to ThanksUSA’s official airline sponsor, American Airlines, who teamed up with the USO and MGM Resorts International to provide a weekend of entertainment and relaxation to some very special Wounded Warriors in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Upon arrival in Las Vegas on Thursday, service members and guests were escorted to The Mirage Hotel and Casino where they were welcomed with the “Walk of Gratitude.” ThanksUSA co-founder Kelsi Okun was on hand to cheer for our heroes and capture some photos:

ThanksUSA honors all those who have served and would like to give special recognition to the Director of Veterans Initiatives at American Airlines, Jim Palmersheim, an Army Vet who continues to serve his country through advocacy for military personnel and their families.

For additional coverage of the 2012 Salute to the Troops, check out these links:

WJLA Wounded Warriors Heading to Las Vegas

MGM Resort International Hosts Wounded Warriors

WCHS Las Vegas Welcomes Wounded Warriors

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Berkeley Hills Country Club Raises Racquets for Tennis Thanks the Troops!

Our sincerest thanks to the Berkeley Hills Country Club in Duluth, Georgia, for raising their racquets in support of Tennis Thanks the Troops! The club hosted a tennis mixer/round robin and silent auction raising $2,500 for ThanksUSA scholarships! We encourage all USPTA pros to register their club as an official Tennis Thanks the Troops host facility. If you’re an avid player or fan, be sure to tell your club’s pro or director about Tennis Thanks the Troops today. The club raising the most money for Tennis Thanks the Troops will be able to send their pro and one guest to New York for the US Open, on August 30, 2013.

The Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) Net News magazine featured the Berkeley Hills event in their September/October 2012 edition:

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Danbury AHEPA Cigar Night Fundraiser Next Thursday

It’s not too late to get your tickets for the 2nd Annual Danbury AHEPA Cigar Night Fundraiser! The Danbury, Connecticut, chapter of AHEPA will host the  cigar fundraiser on Thursday, October 4th, at The Amber Room Colonnade. Tickets are $110 per person and proceeds will once again benefit ThanksUSA’s mission to provide scholarships to the dependent children and spouses of our military personnel. Admission includes a pack of assorted Rocky Patel Cigars, top shelf open bar, assorted cheeses and greek appetizers, hot hors d’oeuvres, carving station with prime rib and pork, salad station, grilled vegetables, french fry bar, coffee and dessert. Smoking is segregated to a beautiful, outdoor, covered patio, so non-smokers will be comfortable attending as well.

This year’s AHEPA Cigar Night will feature a very special guest speaker, Ed Silverman. Mr. Silverman is a distinguished broadcast journalist, documentarian, and accomplished author. The 11 time Emmy award winner covered some of America’s most historical events during the Golden Age of radio and television. He was the first on the air for ABC TV during the JFK assassination, covered the trial of Jack Ruby, and even broadcast the America’s Cup Race from the Goodyear Blimp.

With a 50+ year career, Mr. Silverman has some wonderful stories to share! Don’t miss your opportunity to meet this witness to history, enjoy fine cigars, delicious food, and friendly networking, all while raising funds for ThanksUSA.

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Stephen Curry ThanksUSA Charity Golf Tournament

ThanksUSA national spokesperson, Stephen Curry, will host the 2nd Annual Stephen Curry ThanksUSA Charity Golf Tournament on Monday at the Presidio Golf Club in San Francisco. Local community leaders, sports and entertainment VIPs, members of the military, and corporate representatives will participate to raise funds for ThanksUSA’s scholarship program.

Dedicated to basketball, education, and especially to family, Stephen continues to shine. This weekend, he will join his father, former Charlotte Hornets guard, Dell Curry, in co-hosting a father/son or daughter basketball camp. The NBA stars will share basketball techniques and offer advise on how to excel both on and off the basketball court.

Participants of both events will get to experience Stephen’s good nature and resiliency. The Golden State Warriors guard has been recovering from ankle surgery since April. He recently reported that he had been cleared to play pickup and Warriors fans are eager to see him join his teammates at training camp in October.

The ThanksUSA team wishes Stephen continued health as well as a great NBA season. We’ll be bringing you photos of Monday’s Golf Tournament via Facebook and Twitter, so make sure to follow/like ThanksUSA. If you would like to keep up with latest Stephen Curry news, be sure to visit his website at stephencurry30.com.

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ThanksUSA & No Greater Sacrifice Foundation Honor CBC Members

On Friday, September 21st, ThanksUSA and the No Greater Sacrifice Foundation will honor eight members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Members of Congress for their military service.

Honorees include:

Sanford D. Bishop Jr. of Georgia, served in the United States Army

G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina, served in the United States Army

John Conyers, Jr. of Michigan, served in the National Guard

Charles B. Rangel of New York, served in the United States Army

Bobby L. Rush of Illinois, served in the United States Army

Robert C. Scott of Virginia, served in the United States Army & National Guard

Edolphus Towns of New York, served in the United States Army

Allen West of Florida, served in the United States Army

 

ThanksUSA and the No Greater Sacrifice Foundation scholarship programs will be represented by two graduate students, Jaquel Barnes and Ms Jones:

Jaquel, an Army dependent, received No Greater Sacrifice Foundation/ThanksUSA Scholarships totaling $31,000 to complete her B.S. in Biological Science and Psychology at Florida State University. She is now conducting TBI research at the National Institute of Health and plans to obtain her M.D./Ph.D. in Neuroscience.

Be sure to check back this weekend for photos from the event.

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Play Now!!

Click here to play!!

 

 

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Stephen Curry ThanksUSA Charity Golf Tournament 9/24

ThanksUSA national spokesperson Stephen Curry will be hosting the 2nd annual Stephen Curry ThanksUSA Charity Golf Tournament on Monday, September 24th, at the beautiful Presidio Golf Club in San Francisco.

Supporters are invited to join Stephen, fellow Golden State Warriors, and military personnel for a day of friendly competition while raising funds for ThanksUSA’s scholarship program.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available by contacting Alison Edwards at (817) 771-0041 or email AlisonEdwards@ThanksUSA.org.

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Keller Williams McLean Hosts Military Appreciation Monday

Our friends at Keller Williams Realty in McLean are hosting a Military Appreciation Monday in support of ThanksUSA. Join fellow supporters on Monday, September 10th, to raise funds for ThanksUSA’s scholarship program while dining at Pulcinella’s Restaurant. Dinner begins at 6:30 and reservations are required (see flyer below).

In the mood for some great Italian food but can’t stay? Order take-out and take a copy of the flyer with you – Pulcinella’s will make a contribution. For additional information or to make your reservation, please contact Marie Barresi (marieunderstands@kw.com) or Dorothy Friedlander (Dorothy@dorothyfriedlander.com):

Sept 2012 Military Appreciation Dinner (printable)

 

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2nd Annual AHEPA Cigar Night Announced!

Our dear friends and supporters from the Danbury, Connecticut chapter of AHEPA have scheduled the 2nd Annual Danbury AHEPA Cigar Night Fundraiser. Chairman Chris Lypides announced that this year’s event will be held on Thursday, October 4th at The Amber Room Colonnade. In addition to a night of networking, guests will enjoy fine cigars, top shelf liquor, and delectable dining. Smoking will be segregated to the beautiful outdoor patio area, so non-smokers may enjoy the evening equally. Ticket prices are $110 per person and proceeds will once again benefit ThanksUSA’s mission to provide scholarships to the dependent children and spouses of our military personnel. Tickets are available for purchase online at: www. AHEPAcigarnight.com

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Wimbledon Champ Lisa Raymond featured in ThanksUSA PSA

 

Washington, DC, July 27, 2012 – Lisa Raymond, the 2012 mixed doubles Wimbledon champion, appears in her first public service announcement for ThanksUSA since being announced as the charity’s national spokesperson earlier this year.

Click here to view the PSA.

“We are thrilled that Lisa is lending her celebrity to help ThanksUSA provide scholarships for the children and spouses of America’s troops,” said ThanksUSA Chairman and CEO Bob Okun. “Her spectacular Wimbledon victory with partner Mike Bryan reflects the same dedication and spirit they both bring to thanking our military families with the gift of education.”

“I am honored to support our Armed Forces through the mission of ThanksUSA,” Ms. Raymond said. “The scholarships open up enormous opportunities for those who have sacrificed so much for our country, and my hope is that this PSA brings increased attention to ThanksUSA’s efforts.”

Ms. Raymond has joined Mr. Bryan and twin brother Bob in ThanksUSA’s “Tennis Thanks the Troops” campaign, a cornerstone in the charity’s efforts. The nationwide campaign was launched this spring, with the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) leading the effort with ThanksUSA and additional support from the United States Tennis Association Mid-Atlantic (MAS).

Through the “Tennis Thanks the Troops” campaign, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) No. 1 Doubles player and U.S. Open Doubles champion Ms. Raymond, along with the Men’s Doubles champions the Bryan twins, partner with U.S. tennis clubs, professionals, players and fans in helping provide need-based post-secondary school scholarships to military families.

“Our men and women in uniform and their families are incredibly inspiring,” said Mike and Bob Bryan. “Their bravery and commitment uplift every one of us, and raising our racquets for them is our way of showing our gratitude. We hope all Americans will join the ThanksUSA team.”

The powerhouse mixed doubles pair of Lisa Raymond and Mike Bryan is now setting their sights on repeating their Wimbledon win at the summer Olympics where mixed doubles is returning as a medal sport for the first time since 1924.

“Taking the title at Wimbledon this year was the kind of moment that drives me,” said Ms. Raymond. “Mike and I bring out the best in each other on the court and I’m looking forward to our joining forces again and representing our country at the Olympics.”

Mike and Bob Bryan, bronze medalists in Beijing, will also be competing for gold in men’s doubles. They are top seeds in the men’s doubles, and Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond are seeded No. 1 in the women’s doubles.

“ThanksUSA is fortunate to have these world-class tennis players on our team,” said Okun. “Their commitment to our troops makes us all winners, and we’ll be cheering for them during the Olympics.”

For more information on ThanksUSA go to http://www.thanksusa.org

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Live Webcast of July 4th Celebration!

Our thanks to TVWorldwide’s Dave Gardy for his continuing support of our men and women in uniform!

National Park Service Teams with TV Worldwide to Again Salute Troops with Live Webcast of Nation’s Capital 4th of July Fireworks

Washington, D.C., Jul 3, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) — Washington, D.C., July 3, 2012: TV Worldwide, (www.TVWorldwide.com) a fast-growing web-based global TV network, in cooperation with the National Park Service, will again produce a free live webcast of the Washington, D.C., National Capital 4th of July Fireworks Celebration for the benefit of American military personnel and their families stationed overseas. This year the webcast will salute veterans of U.S. Merchant Marine, from privateers who bravely fought for American independence to mariners who have supported our Armed Forces for over two centuries.

The free web broadcast coverage begins at 8:45 PM (ET) on Wednesday, July 4. The simulcast will also highlight efforts of the troop support group, Operation Interdependence, (www.OIDelivers.org), the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s (www.VVMF.org) effort to build the Education Center at the Wall, (www.BuildtheCenter.vvmf.org) and ThanksUSA (www.ThanksUSA.org).

People around the world can tune to TV Worldwide’s Internet TV Channel for Veterans, USVets.TV (www.USVets.TV), and maritime industry audiences, Maritime TV (www.MaritimeTV.com) to view our nation’s brilliant fireworks display firsthand and view a pre-event program highlighting the U.S. Merchant Marine.

The National Capital Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:10 PM (ET), and will last roughly 21 minutes. The fireworks are choreographed to a simulcast audio program of patriotic music that will be provided by the National Park Service. The webcast will be produced from the top of the Netherlands Carillon bell tower across the Potomac River in Arlington, VA, allowing for a spectacular view of the US Capitol, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial.

“Just as we’ve done since 2001, the TV Worldwide staff again takes pride in producing this satellite and web event for those Americans serving around the world, unable to be here for the best fireworks celebration in the world,” commented Dave Gardy, Chairman and CEO of TV Worldwide. “We are thankful for the cooperation and assistance of the National Park Service, in helping us produce the Independence Day celebration from our nation’s capital for the brave men and women deployed around the world protecting freedom and democracy.” TV Worldwide will offer commentary and content prior to the event. Participants should have the Flash Player installed prior to the event and should log on by 8:45 PM, (ET), on Wednesday, July 4th.The production will be archived at www.USVets.TV, www.MaritimeTV.com and www.TVWorldwide.com for later viewing.

About TV Worldwide Founded in 1999, TV Worldwide (www.tvworldwide.com) developed the first Internet TV network of community-based Internet TV channels, primarily targeting niche professional communities ranging from the Maritime industry to the Digital Media sector. Known by many in the industry as “Intelligent Internet TV,” Fortune 500 companies, 35 federal government agencies, and numerous international associations including the National Association of Broadcasters, utilize TV Worldwide’s live and archived state-of-the art video streaming content applications and Internet TV channels. In recognition of the company’s unique achievements in new media, TV Worldwide was selected by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) to webcast the Daytime Emmy Awards and the Emmy awards for Technology and Engineering. CEO Dave Gardy has been honored by Streaming Media Magazine in 2008 as one of the 25 Most Influential People in Streaming Media. Mr. Gardy also currently serves as the President of the International Webcasting Association (IWA).

About USVets.TV The USVets.TV channel (www.USVets.TV), an Internet TV Channel on the TV Worldwide Network, is dedicated to provide live and on-demand programming targeted to, and supportive of U.S. active duty military personnel and veterans of all services, and their families. The USVets.TV team and channel sponsors believe we owe a debt of gratitude to these brave men and women whose sacrifices have preserved our freedom and protected national interests around the world. USVets.TV is pleased to serve this audience and the support groups which provide assistance to our troops and veterans, with dedicated, community-based, interactive content that truly addresses their needs and interests.

About Maritime TV As a pioneering global Internet broadcasting and streaming media company, TV Worldwide (www.TVWorldwide.com) developed the first Internet TV network of community-based interactive channels, including Maritime TV (www.MaritimeTV.com) in 1999. Maritime TV is now the industry’s pre-eminent channel for live and archived webcasts and video presentations involving the commercial and military shipping industry. Programming on Maritime TV ranges from congressional hearings on important marine industry issues, to live interactive town hall and advocacy group meetings, to training on shipboard safety and operational fundamentals. Maritime entertainment-based programming is also available, including the entire collection of episodes from the renowned television series, ‘Victory at Sea’. Over time the channel has also evolved into a leading source of industry-specific information for media outlets in the mainstream press, such as USA Today. Maritime TV is pleased to serve this industry, so vital to the global economy, as the world’s first maritime TV channel.

About VVMF and the Education Center at the Wall The Education Center at The Wall is a place on our National Mall where our military heroes’ stories and sacrifice will never be forgotten. With a groundbreaking planned for November 2012, the Education Center is a multi-million dollar, state-of- the-art visitor’s center and learning facility to be built on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans and Lincoln Memorials. Visitors will better understand the profound impact the Vietnam War had their friends and family members, their hometowns and the nation. The Center will feature the faces and stories of the 58,282 men and women on The Wall, honoring those who fell in Vietnam, those who fought and returned, as well as the friends and families of all who served.

Established in 1979, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., promoting healing and educating about the impact of the Vietnam War.

Support the Education Center by visiting http://www.buildthecenter.vvmf.org or calling 866-990-WALL.

About Operation Interdependence(r) Operation Interdependence(r) (www.OIDeliver.org ) is a civilian-to-military delivery system(r) that serves as a program for Americans to demonstrate their support for our deployed military.

Across the nation, men and women are given orders to deploy on a regular scheduled deployment. These deployments are known to the public and allow our service members and their families to plan. However, special orders are given as well for our nation’s military to deploy at a moment’s notice.

Operation Interdependence(r) is designed to support regularly scheduled deployments. Information is given to military officials in order for the military leadership to have a grasp on our support. We do not nor, do we want to, interfere with special deployments, unless specifically requested by the deployed forces. It is imperative to all participating with O.I.(r), to learn that care packaging can produce an unintended consequence, pulling a service man or woman from vital training only to be placed in a special deployment with training minus the hours lost due to attending to care packages from home.

We are essentially creating the work force from this side of the fence, and contributing to removing a logistical tail that tends to present some required decisions other than focusing on the battle plan. Everything we do must put the decision makers in the best position to carry out the strategies that will secure our freedoms.

Our success will be based on our ability to needing each other, tying all organizations that send care packages to our deployed forces with one civilian-to-military delivery system(r) that ensures that everyone gets a piece of home every month, just like clockwork. Let us change by making America first, and take charge by employing Supply Change Management creating a Capability System that is Efficient and Effective to increase our country’s Combat Capability.

About ThanksUSAThanksUSA is a non-partisan, charitable effort to mobilize Americans of all ages to “thank” the men and women of the United States armed forces. We’re doing that by providing need-based college, technical and vocational school scholarships for their children and spouses.

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com SOURCE: TVWorldwide.com # # #

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San Diego Tennis Fest Benefits “Tennis Thanks the Troops”

Our sincerest gratitude to the San Diego District Tennis Association and the San Diego Division of the USPTA for making ThanksUSA’s “Tennis Thanks the Troops” a part of their 12th annual Tennis Fest!  For a recap of this great event, click:  USPTA San Diego Division Newsletter May 2012

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Cadette Troop 20 Donates Cookies to Troops While Sharing ThanksUSA’s Mission

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