Welcome to the media page for Cooking with the Troops. Eventually, you will be able to find all our press releases here, news, and other information for your use. Know that we don't care if you are traditional media, new media, social media, or freelance -- we will do our best to help you, answer questions, and assist as we can. Any of the Board are available for interviews, just ask.
For now, as we are building the site, let us know what features you would like and we will see what we can do to build them in. If you don't tell us, we won't know, and can't do much to fix or make better. So, unless you just want to complain, here's your chance.
Until we have the automail set up, just send a message to media at this site, and we will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.
Press Release 2011-1: Bob Woodruff Foundation Grant to Fund Homefront Support Program Development
A $62,732 grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation will be funding the development of the Homefront Support Program at Cooking with the Troops. In addition to development, the grant covers two special events focused on the wounded and some support for Operation Fight Post Holiday Blues.
The Bob Woodruff Foundation provides resources and support to injured service members, veterans, and their families so they can have successful futures. They do this by investing in national and community-based programs that connect troops to the help then need, so that both physical injuries and the hidden injuries of war are healed.
"We founded Cooking with the Troops so that we could do more than just food events," says Bob Miller, President of Cooking with the Troops. "With the economy in the shape it is in, we estimated that it would take years to get the new programs off the ground. With this grant, we are not only able to get this major part of our operations in place, but be able to use it to begin helping our troops and their families in months instead of years."
"We are thrilled with the concept and mission of Cooking with the Troops. Food is social; cooking is therapeutic and unites individuals. This is a wonderful opportunity to bolster camaraderie; expose wounded warriors to careers in the culinary arts and management, while simultaneously adding nutrition and affordable meal instruction to the lives of injured troops and their families,” said René Bardorf, Executive Director, Bob Woodruff Foundation.
The grant provides money to cover the development costs of the program, as well as a prototype event and a follow-on event that will incorporate the lessons learned from the first event. The events are not only intended to provide instruction in nutrition, cooking, and food safety, but will also expose the participants to the range of careers available in the culinary arts and management. In addition, the grant provides funds towards Cooking with the Troops' Operation Fight Post Holiday Blues in January. Among other things, the grant money fully funds the ingredients budget for a special meal for the wounded, family, and caregivers at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. As part of the grant, Cooking with the Troops is covering all administrative and related costs associated with the grant and the development process.
"The importance of this grant cannot be overstated," states C. Blake Powers, CEO of Cooking with the Troops. "Starting any new major program requires large amounts of time, money, and other resources and as a new charity those resources are extremely hard to come by. This grant not only gives us those resources, but it opens the doors to other partners to help us expand this program, develop our culinary career transition and frontline support programs, and expand our educational and assistance efforts."
Cooking with the Troops is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to supporting U.S. and Allied Troops, their families, and caregivers through special food events, culinary careers, front line support, and homefront support. For more information, please contact:
Susan Katz Keating Director of Communications skeating@cwtt.org
About the Bob Woodruff Foundation The Bob Woodruff Foundation provides resources and support to service members, veterans and their families to successfully reintegrate into their communities so they may thrive physically, psychologically, socially and economically. Through a public education movement called ReMIND.org, the Bob Woodruff Foundation helps educate the public about the needs of service members returning from war - especially the 1 in 5 service members who have sustained hidden injuries such as Traumatic Brain Injury and Combat Stress, including Post Traumatic Stress, Depression and Anxiety - and empowers communities nationwide to take action. Across the country, the Bob Woodruff Foundation collaborates with other organizations and experts to identify and solve issues related to the return of service members from combat to civilian life and invests in programs that connect our troops to the help they need - from individual needs like physical accommodations, medical care and counseling, to larger social issues like homelessness and suicide. To date, the Bob Woodruff Foundation has invested over $8.6 million, reaching more than 950,000 service members, support personnel, veterans and their families nationwide. For more information about the Bob Woodruff Foundation please visit www.ReMIND.org
Press Release 2010-7: Great Start For Operation FPH Blues
Operation FPH Blues (http://cwtt.org/opfphblues.html), the joint effort between Pin-Ups for Vets (http://pinupsforvets.com/) and Cooking with the Troops (http://cwtt.org) is off to a great start. At the end of the first week, approximately $1,000.00 of the $15,000.00 goal has been raised to help U.S. and Allied troops at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center fight the post holiday blues.
The post-holiday blues can be bad enough on those who are healthy, and fully engaged in their normal activities. Stop for a moment and consider what it might be like for a member of the U.S. or Allied forces who find themselves evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. The time between Thanksgiving and New Year's has been like a fire-hose of attention, visits, and more. Then, suddenly, it's gone. They are alone in a hospital, in a foreign country, and away from friends, family, and normal support networks. Despite the dedicated efforts of staff and volunteers, the blues can hit hard. To help combat this, visits are planned by Gina Elise of Pin-Ups for Vets, a meal for 150 will be prepared by veteran and chef Ellen Adams, and veteran and author Michael Z. Williamson will be giving away books and signing autographs.
The charities have set the ambitious goal of trying to raise half the money needed, or more, by the end of November. This will allow them to purchase transportation at discounted rates, so that more of the money raised can go to as many efforts as possible.
Donations can be made by mail, or online at http://cwtt.org/donations.html via PayPal. Donors can note on the donation that it is for Operation Fight Post-Holiday Blues. Any funds raised that are not used will be used to support future operations at Pin-Ups for Vets and Cooking with the Troops.
Corporate sponsorship packages are also available.
In addition to Operation FPH Blues, Cooking with the Troops is looking to raise $5,000.00 or more in Indiana to support local events and operations. The organization has agreed to feed 200 Indiana-based military members and families in December, and another event is in discussion. As before, corporate sponsorship packages are available. Please help us to do all we can for those who serve.
Cooking with the Troops is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to supporting U.S. and Allied Troops, their families, and caregivers through special food events, culinary careers, front line support, and homefront support. For more information, please contact Susan Katz Keating, Director of Communications, at skeating@cwtt.org or C. Blake Powers, CEO, at ceo@cwtt.org.
Press Release 2010-6: Pin-Ups For Vets And Cooking With The Troops Partner For Operation Fight Post Holiday Blues
The post-holiday blues can be bad enough on those who are healthy, and fully engaged in their normal activities. Stop for a moment and consider what it might be like for a member of the U.S. or Allied forces who find themselves evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. The time between Thanksgiving and New Year's has been like a fire-hose of attention, visits, and more. Then, suddenly, it's gone. They are alone in a hospital, in a foreign country, and away from friends, family, and normal support networks. Despite the dedicated efforts of staff and volunteers, the blues can hit hard.
Recognizing that, Gina Elise of the non-profit Pin-Ups for Vets (pinupsforvets.com) and Cooking with the Troops (cwtt.org) have partnered to create Operation Fight Post Holiday Blues. This special event, timed for mid-January to have maximum effect, will combine a special dinner for a planned 150 people cooked by Guest Chef Ellen Adams (redhotdish.com), with hospital and other visits by Gina to help drive the blues away. To aid this effort, the team is being joined by author Michael Z. Williamson (michaelzwilliamson.com), who will also do visits, autographs, and give away books.
Full details on the event can be found at http://cwtt.org/opfphblues.html and all participants are available for interviews. To do this event, Pin-Ups for Vets and Cooking with the Troops are looking to raise $15,000. Donations can be made by mail, or online at http://cwtt.org/donations.html via PayPal. Donors can note on the donation that it is for Operation Fight Post-Holiday Blues. Any funds raised that are not used will be used to support future operations at Pin-Ups for Vets and Cooking with the Troops.
Larger versions of the attached images are available at http://cwtt.org/opfphblues.html or through the contacts listed below.
Cooking with the Troops is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to supporting U.S. and Allied Troops, their families, and caregivers through special food events, culinary careers, front line support, and homefront support. For more information, please contact Susan Katz Keating, Director of Communications, at skeating@cwtt.org or C. Blake Powers, CEO, at ceo@cwtt.org.
If you want to receive only certain types of releases from Cooking with the Troops, or to be removed from our distribution list, please contact us at media@cwtt.org and let us know your preference. If you would like to be added to our distribution list, contact us at media@cwtt.org and we will be happy to add you.
Press Release 2010-5: Free Military Track Membership Offered To Military
A free pass to the military track at this year's Blog World and New Media Expo (http://blogworldexpo.com) is being offered to all members of the Armed Forces. The free pass not only provides access to the military track panels on Thursday 14 October, but to the exhibit hall and evening events for the entire conference.
"The military secures our freedoms, including our ability to blog about any and all topics," says Blog World CEO Rick Calvert. "Social Media has changed the way we all communicate in our personal and business lives and the military is no exception. Blogs and social networking tools have been a godsend to Military personal deployed half a world away from their loved ones; allowing them to communicate with their families easier than ever before. Many of them (and their spouses) also generously share their experiences on their personal blogs, giving civilians a much deeper understanding of the level of sacrifice our men and women in the armed forces make for our freedoms. It is truly our honor and pleasure to provide them this free pass."
While details are not yet available, Calvert notes that efforts are underway for a very special series of panels. Because of these panels, and limitations on seating, a pre-registration process is being started and is being coordinated by Cooking with the Troops.
"New and social media have been our foundation as we get started," notes Cooking with the Troops CEO C. Blake Powers. "Helping coordinate the pre-registration for the free membership being offered allows us to support the troops and their families in a different way, and it's an honor to do so."
The free membership offer is available to all those currently serving in the Armed Forces, all veterans, and their families. To pre-register, send an e-mail to bwemil@cwtt.org that provides your name, service information (branch, dates; or, branch and dates of spouse, child, or other immediate relative), and the names and relation of any other persons (spouse, child, parent) you wish to register as well. Closer to the conference, you will be sent instructions on how to register online and receive the free membership. Those desiring to attend other panels and events can pay an upgrade fee during the final registration process to do so. There is no charge to pre-register.
Press Release 2010-4: Klinker, Truitt, and Alting Join National
Advisory Board
Cooking with the Troops Inc. is pleased to
announce that Sheila Klinker, Randy Truitt, and Ron Alting have joined
its National Advisory Board. The National Advisory Board serves as a
resource for the Board of Directors and Officers of Cooking with the
Troops, providing a depth and breadth of experience that would otherwise
be unavailable.
State Representative Sheila Klinker (HD27) was
first elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 1982 and is
involved with many community organizations. She earned her Master's
degrees in elementary education, administration and supervision from
Purdue University and also holds a Bachelor's degree in education from
Purdue University. She has received many awards and recognitions for
her legislative and civic efforts�particularly on behalf of children and
families, as well as individuals who are mentally ill or
developmentally challenged�and for her successful work in promoting job
growth and economic development in Indiana.
State Representative
Randy Truitt (HD 26) is a proud fourth generation resident of West
Lafayette. He is a 1986 graduate of West Lafayette High School and a
1990 graduate of Purdue University with a bachelor�s degree from the
School of Technology. Randy obtained his M.B.A. from Indiana Wesleyan
University in 2002, receiving the Distinguished Professional Award.
Randy�s professional background includes leadership roles in both the
bio tech industry and the real estate industry.
State Senator
Ron Alting (SD22) is a true �hometown guy� who has never forgotten his
Hoosier roots. A strong advocate for Veterans, Alting is a Major in the
Indiana Guard Reserve and a member of the Sons of the American Legion �
Post 11. He is also the recipient of the 2002 and 2005 American Legion
Distinguished Public Service Award. In the Senate, Alting chairs the
Senate Commerce, Public Policy & Interstate Cooperation Committee
and is a member of the Agriculture & Small Business, Judiciary and
Elections committees. A former small business owner, Alting received
the 2005 Small Business Champion Award from the Indiana Chamber of
Commerce. He currently serves on the Community Advisory Board of Indiana
University School of Medicine � Lafayette.
They join
Congressman Jim Marshall (D, 8th District GA), LaNelle Geddes, Ph.D.
(biophysics), former Head of the School of Nursing at Purdue, and Rick
Calvert, CEO and Co-Founder of Blog World and New Media Expo as members
of the Board.
Press Release 2010-3: Winners of the Cooking with the Troops Logo Contest
Announced
More than 20 submissions from around the world were made in
the month-long contest to create a logo for Cooking with the Troops.Entries from Australia, England, and
Scotland joined those from the United States to create a visual representation
of the effort to provide aid and comfort to U.S. and Allied troops, families,
and caregivers.
Tyler Stout, a 26-year-old
originally from Tucson, Arizona, currently living and working in New York City,
won first place with his winged spatula design.Working towards a graduate degree in Architectural Sciences,
the architect-in-training and freelance graphic designer was chosen by the
judges to be the best entry. It has been modified to be two-color for use as
the official logo
�I am very humbled that
my entry for the Cooking with the Troops submission was the winning logo,� says
Stout. �I have always held a deep respect for the United States military -
their selflessness is an inspiration to us all, and I hope that Cooking with
the Troops can provide our servicemen and women with a well-deserved
opportunity to relax and enjoy the pleasures of life with friends, family and
supporters.I have a personal
passion for cooking, and believe that good food has an inherent, elemental
ability to unite, bind and comfort us... and there is no one more deserving of
this than our troops.�
Stout�s design was chosen the winner by a distinguished
panel of judges consisting of Chris Muir, author of the Day-By-Day comic strip
(http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/), Damon Shackelford, author of the Delta Bravo
Sierra comic strip (http://www.deltabravosierra.us/), and John Cox, of John Cox
Art (http://www.johncoxart.com/).Each of the judges noted the quality of the submissions to the contest,
which made selecting the winner no easy task.
Erin Ingram (http://eriningram.com/), a graphic designer in
Indianapolis, Indiana, took second place with a play on a chef�s hat.Erin admitted to being shocked at her
selection, noting the quality of the entries.
�There were so many amazing entries,� notes Ingram.�I�m honored to be selected. Keep doing what you are doing and never forget
the ones overseas fighting for freedom!�
Pia Cantoni, of family-owned Swag Specialties (http://www.swagspecialties.com)took third place with a
spatula/yellow-ribbon design.
�My
husband is a Marine so I knew I wanted to somehow participate and get a chance
to work with Cooking with the Troops. We are honored to have our design
considered, and thrilled with our ranking in the logo contest! Our family is
forever grateful for the men and women who serve.�
Prizes for the
contest were donated by The Spice House (http://www.thespicehouse.com/),
Michael Z. Williamson (http://www.michaelzwilliamson.com/), Gretchen Wilson (http://www.gretchenwilson.com/),
Bob Miller of Cooking with the Troops, and Chris Muir (http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/).
As first prize winner, Tyler Stout will receive a knife
donated by Michael Z. Williamson, author and edged weapons maker, from his
operation �Sharp
Pointy Things�
(http://www.sharppointythings.com/index.php};
a jumbo barbecue gift box set from The Spice House
(http://www.thespicehouse.com/spices/grill-and-barbecue-deluxe-gift-box); an
autographed DVD Gretchen Wilson Undressed
donated by Gretchen Wilson (http://www.gretchenwilson.com/); a jar of Concrete
Bob�s
homemade barbecue sauce; and, a forthcoming book by Chris Muir (http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/).
As third prize winner, Pia Cantoni will receive a small
barbecue gift box from The Spice House (http:// www.thespicehouse.com/spices/grill-and-barbecue-gift-box);
an autographed camo ball cap donated by Gretchen Wilson
(http://www.gretchenwilson.com/); a jar of Concrete Bob�s homemade barbecue sauce.
Cooking with the Troops thanks everyone who submitted an
entry to the contest.They were
indeed outstanding, and reflected well on the cause and those submitting
them.We also wish to thank our
judges for their time and effort, and also all those who donated prizes for the
contest.
Press Release 2010-2: Congressman Jim Marshall Joins National
Advisory Board, More
Cooking with the Troops is pleased to
announce that Congressman Jim Marshall (D, 8th District GA,
http://jimmarshall.house.gov/) has joined it's National Advisory Board.
Congressman Marshall is well known for his support of veterans and
active duty troops, and for his own service. In 1968 he left Princeton
to enlist in the Army, where he volunteered for infantry combat in
Vietnam, earning two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.
"We are
extremely pleased to have Congressman Marshall join our National
Advisory Board," says C. Blake Powers, Chairman and CEO of Cooking with
the Troops. "He brings a wealth of experience and an unwavering
commitment to those who serve that will be a huge help to us as we
grow."
Representative Marshall joins LaNelle Geddes, Ph.D.
(biophysics), former Head of the School of Nursing at Purdue, and Rick
Calvert, CEO and Co-Founder of Blog World and New Media Expo as members
of the Board. The National Advisory Board serves as a resource for the
Board of Directors and Officers of Cooking with the Troops, providing a
depth and breadth of experience that would otherwise be unavailable.
Cooking
with the Troops is also pleased to announce that the IRS has granted
our application to be a 501(c)(3) public charity. This means that all
donations to the organization, retroactive to our incorporation on 16
April 2010 are now tax deductible. Cooking with the Troops wishes to
thank the IRS for its prompt and courteous assistance with our
application, and to thank those who began donating even before this
status was given.
Finally, Cooking with the Troops is also
pleased to announce that journalist Susan Katz Keating has agreed to
serve as Director of Communications. In this role, she will be helping
guide media activities and serve as a media point of contact for the
organization. A longtime national security journalist and author, the
former Washington Times reporter blogs at http://www.susankatzkeating.com,
An Army veteran, she is affiliated with numerous organizations,
including the Association of Former Intelligence Officers, and is a
founding trustee for the Wartime Museum. She can be reached at
skeatingATcwtt.org.
Press Release 2010-1: Art Contest for New Charity With A History
Not many new charities start life with
experience and a proven track record and no logo, but Cooking with the
Troops Inc. has done just that. Today sees the launch of a nationwide
logo contest for a charity that has grown out of a program at Soldiers'
Angels, Cooking with the Wounded, and out of barbecues done for the last
several years at Walter Reed by "Concrete" Bob Miller.
By
combining these two efforts, and bringing in a strong commitment to
culinary education and careers, the charity aims to support U.S. and
Allied troops, their families, and caregivers. Their mission is simple:
Provide aid, comfort, and support to US and Allied military troops and
families by:
1. Providing a culinary change of pace for U.S. and
Allied military personnel -- particularly the wounded, injured, and ill
-- and medical caregivers 2. Providing educational resources,
opportunities and transition assistance into food and beverage careers
for those who serve 3. Gathering and sharing knowledge with and for
troops on the front line and supporting same 4. Providing other
direct and indirect assistance to support the care and well-being of
U.S. and Allied military personnel and their families.
Like all
new ventures, Cooking with the Troops needs many things. It's 501(c)(3)
application is filed, it has a bank account, and it even has a
placeholder website (http://cwtt.org) up while its "real" site is in
development. What it needs now is a logo.
The way it's going to
get it, however, is a bit different: they are holding a contest open to
anyone to submit ideas for review by a panel of judges. The artwork
that best exemplifies the program and its mission will become the logo
of the organization. The full details, including specifications and
deadlines, can be found at their website.
Prizes for the contest
are coming from a variety of sources, including: The Spice House
(http://www.thespicehouse.com/); author and knife maker Michael Z.
Williamson (http://www.sharppointythings.com/index.php &
http://www.michaelzwilliamson.com/); and, singer Gretchen Wilson
(http://www.gretchenwilson.com/). Cooking with the Troops is continuing
to work to add more to the prizes.
"Sometimes, when you are as
close to this as we are," says Bob Miller, who is both Vice Chairman of
the Board and President, "You can't see the forest for the trees. In
this way, we get people with talent and vision who can see the big
picture, and can show us how they see us and what we want to do."
The
contest will be judged by Chris Muir (http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/),
Damon Shackelford (http://www.deltabravosierra.us/), and John Cox
(http://johncoxart.com/). The contest will run until noon 25 June 2010,
when judging will begin. The artwork submitted will be showcased on
the web as the contest progresses, and prizes are being donated for the
first, second, and third place winners.
"This has happened much
faster than any of us anticipated," laughs C. Blake Powers, who is
serving as Chairman of the Board and CEO. "The original plan that came
out of Patti's suggestion that we become our own organization was to
take 6-9 months, but things have moved in days to weeks, not months. "
The
Cooking with the Wounded program at Soldiers' Angels grew out of a
steak dinner cooked by Blake Powers at Landstuhl, which was dubbed
"Cooking for the Wounded." Given the strong desire on the part of some
of the wounded to participate, the name was changed to "Cooking with the
Wounded" when it became a formal program. The program has drawn a
great deal of interest, and the idea to expand it came fairly quickly
and the founder of Soldiers' Angels, Patti Patton-Bader, was the first
to suggest that it become its own program.
Bob Miller has been
making BBQ sauce for more than 35 years and doing BBQs at Walter Reed
Army Medical Center and other facilities for more than five years. The
barbecues grew out of frequent Friday night visits to Walter Reed for
the ongoing Friday night rallies at the main gates to support the
troops.
"Blake, as happens with many visionaries, has launched
this very important mission for our heroes. " says Patti-Patton Bader of
Soldiers' Angels. "It is wonderful to have a new strategic partner to
work wingtip to wingtip to improve the quality of life for our defenders
of freedom."
Bringing the different efforts together not only
answers a need, but allows it to be met in an effective, efficient, and
delicious way.
"We are looking forward to the submissions, and
to having people learn more about us," says Mary Katharine Ham, who is
serving as Secretary of the Board. "We've committed to doing four
barbecues and three special food events at a minimum this year, and hope
to do more with support from the public."
