WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2014 – Newman?s Own, the company founded by the late actor Paul Newman, today awarded a total of $200,000 to five charities for their innovative programs intended to improve the quality of life for service members, their families and veterans.
The Veterans Group, a Philadelphia-based organization providing shelter and rehabilitation for homeless veterans took the top award of $50,000 for its ?Operation Warm Embrace,? which helps vets recover from drug addiction while providing job training and educational opportunities.
?These veterans have given so much to our nation and have so much more to contribute,? Veterans Group board member Christopher Deery said as he accepted the award during a ceremony held in the Pentagon?s Hall of Heroes.
More than 250 nonprofit and volunteer organizations competed in the 15th annual Newman?s Own Awards, presented in conjunction with the Fisher House Foundation and Military Times.
Public-Private Partnerships Important
?We couldn’t do it without you,? said Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was on hand to represent the military. Dempsey described the public-private partnerships recognized by the awards as being indispensable to the military community.
?I think based on what you see us doing around the world, I suspect that it is apparent to you as it is to me that we?re going to need to be partnered for 15 more years and 15 more years beyond that,? he added.
Other Awardees
Four other organizations each received $37,500 awards:
— Boys and Girls Club of Cypress, California, for its ?Mission: Youth Outreach,? a program providing developmental services including mentoring and tutoring to children of military parents;
— University of Connecticut Foundation, of Storrs, Connecticut, for its ?Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities,? a program offered by UConn?s School of Business, that provides disabled veterans with training in entrepreneurship and small-business management;
— Angels of America?s Fallen, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, for its ?Support of Children of our Fallen,? which offers long-term developmental support for the children of America?s fallen military and first responders; and
— Community Health Alliance, of Reno Nevada, for its ?Adopt a Vet Dental Program,? which provides quality dental care to low-income veterans.
Over the past 15 years, Newman?s Own officials said, the awards program has provided more than $1 million to 158 organizations.