LEBANON, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cracker Barrel Old Country Store ® launched its second annual, The Four-Star Salute ™, today as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to support military families. The event features an online charity auction, an in-store promotion featuring select Coca-Cola® products, and an online sweepstakes with one winner receiving free Cracker Barrel meals for a year.
The Four-Star Salute runs through May 25 and will benefit the United Service Organizations (USO), a nonprofit dedicated to lifting the spirits of America’s troops and their families. Now through May 25, Cracker Barrel will donate 100% of the proceeds* from The Four-Star Salute online charity auction to the USO, as well as, up to a maximum total of $100,000** from a portion of the proceeds of the in-store promotion of select Coca-Cola ® products.
“May is National Military Appreciation Month and we’re once again using this auction and associated events to support an organization that’s committed to serving our country’s military men, women and their families,” said Cracker Barrel Old Country Store senior vice president of marketing, Chris Ciavarra. “For nearly 75 years, the USO has provided Americans with a tangible way to say thank you and we want to help continue that tradition.”
Millions of times each year, at hundreds of locations around the world, the USO uses its programs and services to build resiliency and lift the spirits of American troops and their families. The funds raised by Cracker Barrel’s auction will be used for USO programs that support military families, like the USO Tiny Tots program which supports new moms and dads who are separated by deployment when their children are born. Additional USO programs help military families deal with a variety of challenges they may face like relocations, multiple deployments or caregivers support.
“As a nonprofit, the USO cannot achieve this mission without the generosity of individuals and partners, like Cracker Barrel,” said Christy Hartsell, USO Vice President of Corporate Alliances. “Partners like this go a long way in helping us make a difference in the lives of our troops and their families throughout their journey in the military.”
The public can bid on auction items at FourStarSalute.org. There will be five rounds of bidding, each round featuring 12 to 14 new items available to be bid on during a three-day period. Examples of auction items include:
- Ultimate Orlando Disney and Resort Family Vacation: Hop on a plane for an extended weekend getaway in sunny Orlando, Florida that’s perfect for the whole family. Hit the Disney parks for all the fun and magic they’re known for. When you’re not racing around the parks, relax nearby at the Marriot World Center featuring an on-site golf course and spa. And bring your four new Butterflies ™ Dolls along to make it a real party.****
- Shania Twain-Gavin DeGraw VIP Experience: See these superstars in style with this exciting package. You’ll get the VIP treatment at a concert featuring five-time Grammy Award winning artist Shania Twain, as well as acclaimed singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw. Stay at a nearby four-star hotel and enjoy exclusive experiences, including a preshow dinner and drinks and VIP tour merchandise.****
- Texas Rangers Superfan Package: See your favorite Texas Rangers take the field, not once, but twice. Watch them face off against the Chicago White Sox June 3 and take your three favorite people with you. Then, celebrate America’s birthday with America’s favorite pastime as you root for the Rangers against the L.A. Angels on July 4 with your guest. ****
Guests can also support the USO by purchasing a Coke® or Diet Coke® fountain beverage or selected Coca-Cola retail products at any Cracker Barrel Old Country Store location. Cracker Barrel will donate a portion of the proceeds, up to a maximum total of $100,000, from the in-store sales of the items.
Those who do not bid on auction items can still enter “The Four-Star Salute” sweepstakes for a chance to win free Cracker Barrel meals for a year*** at FourStarSalute.org. Additional entries into the sweepstakes are awarded by sharing on social media. One sweepstakes winner will be randomly selected from entries received. All rules and regulations can be found at FourStarSalute.org.
* Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. will donate to United Services Organizations, Inc. 100% of the gross proceeds per auction item sold from The Four-Star Salute online charity auction.
** While supplies last, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. will donate to the United Services Organizations, Inc. ten percent of the retail sales price of Coca-Cola® and Diet Coke® bottled drinks (Sku #155216 and #216470) sold up to a maximum of $5,000, ten percent of the retail sales price of the Tervis Coke® Can w/Lid (Sku #507767) sold up to a maximum of $5,000, and ten percent of the retail sales price of the Classic Coke® Shirt (Sku #507622, #507623, #507624, and #507625) sold up to a maximum of $10,000. Promotion starts on May 11, 2015 and ends on May 25, 2015. Donations are not tax deductible. Charity: United Services Organizations, Inc., P. O. Box 96860, Washington, D. C. 20077-7677. This sales promotion is conducted by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
*** NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of 48 contiguous U.S. states & D.C., 18+ yrs old. Begins 5/11/15, ends 5/24/15. Odds of winning depend on number of entries. Prize fulfilled by $4,500 Cracker Barrel Old Country Store™ Gift Card. To enter and for Official Rules, go to www.fourstarsalute.org. Sponsor: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., P.O. Box 787, Lebanon, Tennessee 37088-0787.
**** Visit FourStarSalute.org for full package details and terms and conditions.
About Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants. Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that’s surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America’s country heritage…all at a fair price. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBRL) was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn. and operates 634 company-owned locations in 42 states. For more information, visit crackerbarrel.com.
About the USO
The USO lifts the spirits of America's troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases in the U.S. and abroad, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops, military families, wounded warriors, troops in transition and families of the fallen. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs and services are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff. To join us in this important mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.
