Supporting our wounded heroes
Freedom's Choice water donated for Warrior Games
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FORT LEE, Va. (July 6, 2017) – The Defense Commissary Agency and its commissary brand supplier SpartanNash are helping wounded warrior athletes stay hydrated and cool by donating bottled water at the DOD Warrior Games.
The games began June 30 and run through July 8 in Chicago, with nearly 300 wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans participating in teams representing the U.S., United Kingdom and Australia.
Commissaries recently introduced their own brand of bottled water under the name Freedom's Choice, and the initial sale of Freedom's Choice Water coincides not only with the games but with the 150th anniversary of commissaries. SpartanNash donated about 3,600 bottles of water for the games.
"We believe this is a great way to introduce Freedom's Choice Water," said Tom Owens, special assistant to the DeCA director. "We wanted to do something that would help our country's military. To be able to accomplish that and put our commissary brand water in the hands of heroes that have sacrificed for our freedom, that's a win for everyone."
"What a special way to celebrate our 150th Anniversary and the Warrior Games," said Chris Burns, DeCA executive director for business transformation. "SpartanNash did not hesitate for one second to get involved in this worthy venture and we thank them for their philanthropy and patriotic spirit. We look forward to partnering with them to support more events like the Games in the future."
The Warrior Games began in 2010 "as a way to enhance the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded warriors and to expose them to adaptive sports," according to a news release posted on the DoD Warrior Games website.
The first event was sponsored by the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with about 200 wounded, ill and injured service members participating.
About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit and make no profit on the sale of merchandise. Authorized patrons save thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to commercial prices when shopping regularly at a commissary. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America's military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.
Media Contact:
Kevin L. Robinson
(804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773
kevin.robinson@deca.mil