Support the Wounded Warrior Project Just By Grocery Shopping {#BelieveinHeroes #sp}

I’m participating in the 2014 Believe in Heroes® blogger campaign and received compensation as part of the program. 

 

As many of you already know, our time in the military is very quickly coming to an end. After eleven years and four deployments, my husband will officially be leaving the Marine Corps in just ONE week. Scary, isn't it? Having married my husband pretty well just out of high school, the military life is truly all I have ever known as an adult. Though in many ways I will miss our military life, and wish it wasn't coming to an end so soon, there is one thing that I absolutely will not miss: the deployments!

When I first met my husband via Myspace, he was on his second deployment in Iraq. Even having just 'met' him and never having even seen him in person, I worried about him. Constantly. I would await his phone calls and messages to hear word that all was well. I remember one phone call during this deployment when he announced to me that they had been blown up. He was fine, of course, as were those he was with, but it was a scary reminder of just where he was and what he was doing...and just what I was getting myself into!

After we were married and started our family, my husband went on two more deployments. The first was a MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit), which in many ways felt safer but also meant longer gaps between phone calls and a lot of wondering. During what would be his final deployment, he was back in Afghanistan for a whole year. As much as my husband would tell me not to worry, I couldn't help it. I'm a natural worrier. Living on base in some ways made the worries more real. In our trips to the hospital for doctors appointments, we would see the consequences of battle- the wounded warriors. 

After four successful deployments, we do not take the fact that my husband came home safely each and every time for granted. We know that others are not so lucky and want to do our part to give back to those that make that sacrifice. It is for this reason that we proudly support the Wounded Warriors Program.

Today, I'm excited to share that the Believe in Heroes campaign makes supporting the cause as simple as going grocery shopping. Let's take a look: 

Believe in Heroes® is a national cause marketing campaign that brings grocery retailers, trusted brands, and shoppers together to raise funds for Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. Believe in Heroes® was established in 2010 by Acosta Sales & Marketing, a full-service sales and marketing agency in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. 

      The campaign has generated $16 million for WWP to date and has helped enable the expansion of its critical veteran programs that now directly serve more than 40,000 injured service members. This year, Acosta hopes to exceed the amount raised in 2013 as WWP recognizes its 10-year anniversary, reflecting on a decade of service and reaffirming its commitment to serving injured service members for their lifetime.

      Beginning September 7, 2014 and running through Veterans Day, November 11, 2014, Believe in Heroes® calls on Americans to show their support and appreciation for the newest generation of veterans through the common household task of grocery shopping, while enjoying great savings and sharing how they made a difference to help raise awareness.

So, what can YOU do to help? There are a few very simple ways:

• Download $25 in coupon savings by clicking here! Shop for these great brands partnering with Believe in Heroes to support WWP. You save money AND give back...It's that easy! Coupons are available through November 30, while supplies last.
• Not a couponer or don't use these particular products? No problem! You can purchase Believe in Heroes merchandise in stores or online. You can even make a simple donation instead!
• Spread the word! Share this campaign with your friends and family via social media! Don't forget to use the hashtag ##BelieveinHeroes.

You can learn more about the campaign and where to shop here.

It's such a simple act, but can make such a difference in the life of a real life hero. How will you help the cause?