Kangaroo Express' Salute Our Troops Raises $1.9M

CARY, N.C. — Kangaroo Express' latest Salute Our Troops campaign pushed the total amount of funds raised over the past four summers to $10 million.

This summer's fundraising effort, which ran from June 25 through Sept. 2, raised more than $1.9 million at the more than 1,500 Kangaroo Express convenience stores in 13 states.

"For the fourth year in a row, a patriotic fervor and passionate gratitude was demonstrated during this summer's Salute Our Troops campaign, rallying tremendous support and pride within the communities we serve," said Gordon Schmidt, senior vice president of operations for Kangaroo Express.

"With more than one-third of our associates having a direct connection to the military, supporting our troops means supporting our Kangaroo Express family," he continued. "This year's significant donation brings the total amount of funds raised by the campaign to $10 million, further bolstering our ongoing commitment to our nation's troops and their families."

Donations from the 2014 campaign, including contributions from Kangaroo Express customers, will directly support:

• American Red Cross Service to Armed Forces, providing emergency communications, comfort and assistance to military, veterans and their families; 
• Fisher House Foundation, donating "comfort homes" at major military and VA medical centers that enable military families to be close to a loved one during hospitalization;
• United States Veterans Corps, a corps of military veterans, spouses, dependents and patriotic citizens performing hands-on community service with a mission and deployment attitude, and
• Six state-based military support organizations.

The six state-based organizations span five states throughout the Southeast and include the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Tennessee Auxiliary Soldier Airman Relief Fund; Florida National Guard Foundation; Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation; Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund of North Carolina; South Carolina Military Family Care Association; and the USO of North Carolina.

For the first time this year, Kangaroo Express held motorcycle charity rides throughout the Southeast called Salute Our Troops "ROO Rides." These events included family fun celebrations and made stops at Kangaroo Express locations, local military support organizations, community parks and memorials to drive hometown support and recognize military heroes and families in local communities along their route.

PepsiCo Inc., the Salute Our Troops presenting sponsor, was the leading corporate contributor to Kangaroo Express' fundraising goal for the fourth consecutive year.

"We're proud to continue our steadfast support for Kangaroo Express' annual Salute Our Troops campaign that year after year provides much needed funds and support for troops and their families," said Chris DeLong, vice president of the dollar, drug and convenience store channel for PepsiCo North America Beverages.

Kangaroo Express is the primary banner of Cary-based The Pantry Inc.