NEW YORK (PRWEB) September 10, 2018 -- This September, over 500 veteran volunteers from The Mission Continues are uniting in service, with support from The Starbucks Foundation, to honor the 17th anniversary of September 11, 2001. The Mission Continues is a nonprofit organization that empowers veterans to find growth, purpose, and connection through community impact.
In reverence for those affected and who served in the wake of 9/11, The Mission Continues has organized United in Service, a month-long campaign of inspired community service projects. Nationwide, 55 veteran-led service platoons will mobilize to tackle local needs such as under-resourced schools, disaster relief and safe access to green space.
“United in Service is an opportunity for veterans and local organizations to come together to empower and improve communities,” said Spencer Kympton, U.S. Army veteran and president of The Mission Continues. “We recognize the September 11th milestone with action, as our determined veteran leaders mobilize to help to drive change in neighborhoods across the country."
Serving alongside the veterans are community organizations, corporate partners, and non-veteran volunteers. In the spirit of collective action, these teams will make a positive impact to support community renewal. The service projects are located in 46 cities including, Baltimore, MD; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; San Antonio, TX; Seattle, WA; and Washington D.C., to name a few.
In Philadelphia, up to 200 veterans, Starbucks partners (employees) and local youth will report for duty at Thomas Edison High School. Located in the heart of North Philadelphia, the school serves children from nearby neighborhoods with some of the highest poverty and drug-related crime rates in the city. On this day of service, the teams of veteran-led volunteers will:
- Overhaul unused, rundown tennis courts and transform them into basketball courts, creating a much-needed safe play area.
- Build outdoor learning areas to foster creative learning environments for teachers and students to enjoy.
- Pack and distribute backpacks full of toiletries among local students to kick-off the school year.
“Veterans and military spouses inspire us with their continued service beyond their military duties, and we are grateful for partners like The Mission Continues who create galvanizing moments to empower their leadership for the greater benefit of our communities,” said Virginia Tenpenny, executive director of The Starbucks Foundation. “We know these men and women make Starbucks a better company, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support the United in Service effort.”
United in Service is just one example of the many opportunities for service with The Mission Continues. Veteran volunteers are leading long-term local impact year-round in communities across the country. To help support The Mission Continues or learn how you can get involved locally, visit http://www.missioncontinues.org.
About The Mission Continues
The Mission Continues is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that empowers veterans to build stronger communities through service. Our programs in cities across the country deploy veteran volunteers alongside nonprofit partners and community leaders to improve educational resources, increase access to parks and green spaces, foster neighborhood identity, and more. Through this unique model, veterans build meaningful connections and grow as individuals while creating long-term, sustainable local impact. To learn more, visit http://www.missioncontinues.org or follow us on Twitter at @missioncontinue.
About Starbucks
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at http://news.starbucks.com or http://www.starbucks.com.
About The Starbucks Foundation
Established in 1997, The Starbucks Foundation strengthens communities around the world by advancing opportunities for youth, veterans, refugees and coffee, tea and cocoa farmers and their families, supporting communities affected by disaster, and promoting civic engagement. Learn more at https://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/community/starbucks-foundation.
Sarah Jones, The Mission Continues, +1 646-568-2865, [email protected]
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