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thedrifter
02-09-07, 08:33 AM
Newman’s Own Awards competition opens

By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Feb 9, 2007 5:55:40 EST

The annual Newman’s Own Award competition has opened, in search of volunteer organizations whose deeds help improve life for those in the military community — whether single troops or military families.

The winners will split $75,000. Applications must be postmarked by May 18.

A variety of organizations have won money in the past, ranging from chapters of national charities that help military families, such as the Armed Services YMCA and Operation Homefront, to unit family readiness groups.

The overall winner in 2006, receiving $15,000, was Sew Much Comfort, a group of volunteers sewing clothing specially designed to accommodate wounded troops’ prosthetics, fixators and casts, as well as other needs, such as for those suffering from burns.

Eleven other groups split $60,000 last year, with missions ranging from supporting children of deployed troops, to Stars for Stripes — a group that arranges for celebrities to donate their time by touring remote locations to boost troops’ morale.

A key factor in the competition is whether the organization helps improve the quality of life of deployed service members, or the families of deployed service members, said Jim Weiskopf, spokesman for the Fisher House Foundation, which co-sponsors the competition with Newman’s Own and the Army Times Publishing Co.

World War II Navy veteran and actor Paul Newman started the business Newman’s Own in 1982. His specialized food products such as salad dressings and sauces are widely sold in stores, including military commissaries. Since the company’s inception, Newman has donated more than $200 million, all his after-tax profits, to thousands of educational and charitable organizations.

Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes near military and veterans’ medical centers. The Army Times Publishing Co. is the parent company of Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times, Marine Corps Times, MilitaryCity.com, Defense News, Federal Times and Armed Forces Journal.

To be eligible for a Newman’s Own Award, an organization must support one or more active duty, National Guard or Reserve units or installations; and be tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code or a private organization as defined in Department of Defense Instruction 1000.15; or a volunteer organization such as a family readiness group or center, an ombudsman or Key Volunteer network. All organizations must be approved for operation on a military installation by the installation commander.

For more information, and instructions, and to download the application cover sheet, go to www.fisherhouse.org.

Ellie