Clearwater, FL, September 19, 2011 –GSP, a leading provider of retail services, announced today that the GSP-sponsored Kangaroo Express ‘Salute Our Troops’ Campaign to Honor Military Personnel and Families raised $2.5 million to support the USO, Wounded Warrior Project and National Guard family assistance programs, more than double its original goal of $1 million.
"GSP is proud to have been a part of this initiative with Kangaroo Express," said Geoff Neuhoff, GSP's CEO. "It was a tremendous success, and a terrific way to demonstrate united support for military personnel and their families."
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, GSP and Kangaroo Express, along with other Salute Our Troops sponsors, invited store guests to make $1 donations toward its $1 million goal. That goal was achieved in just the first five weeks of the campaign on Independence Day weekend. Half of the donations will support the USO, making Salute Our Troops one of the largest donations to the USO in a single fundraising campaign during its 70 years of delivering programs, entertainment and other services to the military. The remaining donations support Wounded Warrior Project, honoring and empowering injured servicemen and women, and five state-based military support organizations.
As part of the campaign, the USO Salute Our Troops Jeep Tour traveled more than 13,500 miles throughout eight states, honoring local military heroes and families in more than 75 local communities along the route, including a stop at GSP on July 5th.
Customers added their own voice of gratitude with "shout outs" of pride and appreciation by posting photos on the Kangaroo Express Facebook page and filming video salutes with the USO Jeep Crew. More than 3,000 "shout outs" are showcased on the Salute Our Troops website at www.KESalute.com.
About The Pantry and Kangaroo Express
Headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, The Pantry, Inc. is the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States and one of the largest independently operated convenience store chains in the country. The Company operates over 1,600 stores in thirteen states under select banners, including Kangaroo Express®, its primary operating banner. The Pantry's stores offer a broad selection of merchandise, as well as gasoline and other ancillary services designed to appeal to the convenience needs of its customers.
ABOUT GSP
GSP helps consumer facing businesses transform their growth strategies into store-level results. Our site intelligence software optimizes planning and enables flawless store-specific retail execution. Our survey services ensure that retailers know the details of every store to improve capital expenditure decisions, store understanding and store support. Our design team provides award-winning graphic and industrial design solutions tailor made for retail results. And our point of purchase management team leverages expertise in design, production, fulfillment and data management to maximize return on in-store marketing efforts. We make retail better. For more information, visit www.gspretail.com.
Media Contacts
Marketing - GSP
Email: marketing@gspretail.com
Voice: 727.532.0647