Media Inquiries: Erin Burgy erin.burgy@operationhomefront.org or (469) 934-7131
Operation Homefront and CSX to Distribute School Supplies to Help 1,400 Military Families Start Strong for Back-to-School
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — As families nationwide prepare for the start of another school year, CSX will join Operation Homefront for the third consecutive year to distribute more than 1,400 backpacks and essential school supplies to military children in Jacksonville, Florida; Clarksville, Tennessee; and Fayetteville, North Carolina as a part of Operation Homefront’s annual Back-to-School Brigade (BTSB).
As part of Operation Homefront’s mission to build strong, stable and secure military families, the Back-to-School Brigade® program is supported by CSX to ensure military families start strong and stay strong this back-to-school season and beyond. For many of our nation’s military families, summer is a time of uncertainty as this is when they frequently relocate from one duty station to the next. The overwhelming transition to new communities, new careers and new schools, compounded by the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, takes a huge toll on military families. It’s even more important this year to help them alleviate the burden of buying school supplies for their children, which will help unlock funds for other critical needs.
The Back-to-School Brigade® is Operation Homefront’s nationwide effort of collecting school supplies and backpacks that are later distributed to the children of military families as well as to all ranks of wounded, ill or injured veterans and their families. This annual program is sponsored by national partners Dollar Tree, SAIC and Lockheed Martin. During this year’s campaign, Operation Homefront will distribute its 450,000th backpack, saving families over $50 million in back-to-school expenses since the program began in 2008.
This year’s Back-to-School Brigade® events will be delivered in a drive-through format, adhering to all federal, state and local COVID-19 guidelines.
“We need to support the families of those who sacrifice their lives for our safety,” said Bryan Tucker, vice president of corporate communications at CSX. “At CSX, serving those who serve is at the core of our mission and we are proud to help deliver school supplies to military children, easing at least one potential stress for their families. We partner with Operation Homefront and other organizations that support military families through our community investment initiative, Pride in Service. ”
“We are so grateful for the generosity of CSX who has stepped up for a third consecutive year, through their Pride in Service program, to help us serve these very deserving military families at a time when the stresses of military life have hit them very hard,” said Margi Kirst, chief development officer of Operation Homefront. “Not only does CSX commit valuable resources to meet the needs of our military families, but their employees also dedicate their time to volunteer and are truly committed to helping military families start strong in their communities and stay strong for their families throughout their journeys.”
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About Operation Homefront
Founded in 2002, Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive – not simply struggle to get by – in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 90 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year. Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing and family support services to prevent short-term needs from turning into chronic, long-term struggles. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support from thousands of volunteers, Operation Homefront proudly serves America’s military families. For more information, visit OperationHomefront.org.
About Start Strong, Stay Strong
Operation Homefront launched ‘Start Strong, Stay Strong,’ a national brand campaign in March 2021. The initiative brings much-needed attention to the dedicated service of our military families and the support that Americans can provide to build the stability, connections and comfort these families deserve to start strong in their communities and stay strong throughout their journeys. #StartStrongStayStrong. Find out more at operationhomefront.org/startstrongstaystrong.
ABOUT CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For nearly 200 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides. It also links more than 230 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
