USO News

Kangaroo Express Launches "Salute Our Troops" Jeep Tour

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Kangaroo Express (the leading convenience store operator in the Southeast under The Pantry, Inc.) is traveling 100 miles in a restored World War II Jeep to raise $1 million to support the USO, Wounded Warrior Project and National Guard. The USO Jeep Crew Team will highlight local military heroes and give them a chance to ride around in the 1952 Willy's CJ-3 Jeep.

"When you see the Salute Our Troops Jeep outside one of our Kangaroo Express convenience stores, you know the light is shining on a true local hero," said John Fisher, senior vice president of The Pantry. "It's our way of saying thanks to the men and women who serve our country and show support to their families who hold down the fort back home."

Myrtle Beach, S.C., was the first stop for the Jeep, making an appearance at the Memorial Day Weekend Parade on May 28. Throughout the remaining days of summer, the USO Jeep Crew will travel through the Carolinas and to various states throughout the Southeast region. The USO Jeep Crew will be wearing co-branded USO/Kangaroo Express t-shirts, so you may be able to identify the members on the road this summer. The Jeep will make stops at Kangaroo Express convenience stores, community events and military bases along the way, eventually reaching the state of Florida.

Kangaroo Express is a major supporter of military and their families with more than half of its store located within 25 miles of a military installation. Over 1,600 Kangaroo Express convenience stores will be participating in the "Salute Our Troops" campaign asking store guests to make $1 donations to help reach the $1 million goal as part of their canister promotion.

"Kangaroo Express and USO have something in common: we both like to offer service with a smile. We're especially thankful to our friends at The Pantry for creating this summer-long campaign to support our service members and their families," said Sloan Gibson, USO president.

Keep track of the Jeep Tour through the Kangaroo Express "Salute Our Troops" website, the Kangaroo Express Facebook page, where they will post photos and stories of military heroes, and the USO Jeep Crew's Twitter account (#kesalute).