Sport Clips Haircuts Connects U.S. Military with Loved Ones through $500,000 Gift to
VFW’s Operation Uplink™
“Help A Hero” campaign will increase monthly free call days for service members in 2013
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (December 10, 2012) – Sport Clips Haircuts will provide deployed and hospitalized U.S. service members the opportunity to call loved ones free of charge on 13 holidays and 21 additional days in 2013. The franchise raised money through its Help A Hero campaign and made a $500,000 donation today in support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW) Operation Uplink™ “Free Call Day” program. This is the sixth year for Sport Clips’ Help A Hero, which will provide 17 more call days in the year ahead over 2012. More than 950 Sport Clips locations across the U.S. raised funds for Operation Uplink, which provides the free “talk time” via satellite phone and computer.
Sport Clips representatives presented a check for the 2012 donation today to VFW National Commander John Hamilton at the VFW National Headquarters in Kansas City, Mo. The contribution breaks last year’s record donation by $50,000 and was raised by stylists, managers, and franchisees in-store and through fundraising events in their communities. Since Sport Clips’ Help A Hero program began in 2007, more than 2 million dollars have been donated and almost 2 million calls have been made possible to date.
“It’s an honor for Sport Clips to be able to support men and women in the military through Help A Hero. By helping our troops stay connected to loved ones, we hope these call days will encourage them through their physical separation from friends and family due to hospital stays or multiple deployments far from home,” said Sport Clips founder and CEO Gordon Logan of the donation. Logan served overseas in the U.S. Air Force and is a lifetime member of the VFW and a VFW Foundation Board member.
Sport Weddel, owner of the Amarillo, Texas store that raised the most money in the Sport Clips system, believes it’s important to participate in programs that support U.S. military like Help A Hero. “I love my country, and I am so proud of those men and women, both present and past, who have made a commitment to keep us free and safe,” he said. “We must not forget that while the great majority of us are enjoying friends and family during holiday times, there are thousands of men and women in uniform around the world who can’t do that. I enjoy the opportunity to help make connections possible through Help A Hero.”
“Sport Clips’ contribution is a remarkable expression of gratitude to all the brave men and women of our armed forces for their sacrifice and dedication. Our thanks goes out to everyone who has played a part in this wonderful and selfless endeavor. VFW is so fortunate to have forged such a strong friendship with Mr. Logan and his nationwide Sport Clips team,” says Hamilton.
To find out more about Sport Clips’ Help A Hero program, visit SportClips.com/Hero.