Press Release
Operation Homefront Presented $1 Million Donation From Outback Steakhouse in Support of Military Families
6/22/2011
Successful Thanks for Giving Campaign Helps Support Operation Homefront
Rockville, Md. – Operation Homefront, the national non-profit providing emergency financial and other assistance to military families and wounded warriors, today received a $1 million check from Outback Steakhouse, raised from their 2011 Thanks for Giving campaign. The check was presented by Outback Steakhouse President Jeff Smith to Jim Knotts, President and CEO, and Amy Palmer, COO of Operation Homefront.
“Our service members, wounded warriors, and their families need support now more than ever,” said Knotts. “Outback’s generous donation will help these dedicated heroes know that while they are protecting us, someone back home is looking out for them and their families.”
“The sacrifices that our troops and their families make so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have in the United States is something Outback employees have recognized and appreciated since we opened our doors 23 years ago,” said Smith. “As we express our sincere appreciation to those serving our country, we would also like to thank the countless Americans who rallied behind our Thanks for Giving program.”
Also on hand at the event at the Outback Steakhouse in Ellicott City, Md. was Major General James A. Adkins, Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard. “The donation today from Outback makes a tremendous impact,” said Gen. Adkins. “Military families at times run into difficulties. Organizations like Operation Homefront go above and beyond to make sure that those families are taken care of, and that you don’t have to worry about that when you’re deployed in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, and other places around the world.”
The second annual Thanks for Giving program in support of Operation Homefront was kicked off in San Antonio at the Texas National Guard Armory where Outbackers took to the grills and prepared a plated lunch for 300 service members. Country music star Tim McGraw, a longtime supporter of military service members, was on hand to express his appreciation. Smith and McGraw met with four of the families in San Antonio who receive direct assistance from Operation Homefront. They also visited Operation Homefront Village San Antonio – one of the organization’s four transitional housing locations for wounded warrior families – surprising residents with a special trip to their local Outback Steakhouse for dinner.
About Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse was again voted #1 Best Steak in the 2010 Zagat Survey of National Full-Service Restaurant Chains for the second consecutive year. Outback Steakhouse starts fresh every day to create the flavors that our mates crave. Best known for grilled steaks, chicken and seafood, Outback also offers a wide variety of crisp salads and freshly made soups and sides. New creations and grilled classics are made from scratch daily using only the highest quality ingredients sourced from around the world. For more information, please visit www.outback.com or www.facebook.com/Outback.
About Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and wounded warriors. A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers across 25 chapters and met more than 167,000 needs in 2010. A four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, nationally, 94 percent of total revenue donated to Operation Homefront goes to programs. For more information about Operation Homefront, please visit www.OperationHomefront.net.