Batteries Plus donating to veterans' program
Salt Lake Tribune - Mike Gorrell - May 24, 2011
Batteries Plus, the national auto-supply chain with five shops in Utah and a sixth on the way, is helping organize a fundraising effort this week to aid post-9/11 military service members, veterans and their families with basic financial needs.
Through Memorial Day, and then again in the week leading up to Veterans Day, Nov. 11, Batteries Plus locations will raise money and goods for USA Cares. The nonprofit says it has received 27,000 requests for assistance - and provided aid to families in all 50 states - since its formation in 2003.
The chain will give USA Cares $5 from each battery replacement and $1 for every person who clicks "Like" on the Batteries Plus Facebook page and supports the nonprofit's "Jobs for Vets Cause" page.
"Veterans are near and dear to Batteries Plus' heart," said Russ Reynolds, CEO of Batteries Plus, whose campaign rolled out one day after Gov. Gary Herbert signed a proclamation deeming June "Utah's Patriot Partnership Month." The governor encouraged companies to consider hiring veterans when expanding their payrolls.
"Many of our franchisees are veterans, and many of our stores employ veterans. They are a valuable addition to the Batteries Plus family because of their strong work ethic, loyalty and discipline," Reynolds noted in a news release.
Batteries Plus belongs to VetFran, a program created to help military personnel transition to civilian life. The company offers a $10,000 discount off franchise fees to qualified military veterans seeking to buy a franchise.
In Utah, there are Batteries Plus franchises in Salt Lake City, Sandy, Layton, Orem and Washington. The next will open in Logan.
The chain has more than 450 locations in 45 states and Puerto Rico. It said the United States' battery industry is expected to grow to $33.6 million next year.
Additional information on the veterans program is available at http://tinyurl.com/BatteriesPlusTimeToCare.