Lots of companies give, or purport to give, a percentage of profits to veterans’ organizations, but a new concept has emerged that’s something more and it’s kicking things off with a bang (or two, or a few hundred) in Montana this July.
The Veterans Family of Brands — or “Veterans FOB,” which pays homage to “Forward Operating Base,” something service-men and -women will recognize — is a new way to shop for shooting goods and support veterans’ charities at the same time.
Veterans FOB’s mission, which launched last summer by a handful of businesses, is to create a direct and more transparent channel for consumer dollars to go from business to veterans’ charities, the organization’s spokesman, Casey Betzold, told Guns.com.
The goal is to “build a membership structure for manufacturers, dealers, and individuals, and vet products brought into the family, so consumers can support veterans and their families with every purchase,” said Betzold, who also develops ammo for one of the participating companies, Snake River Shooting Products and Consulting, Inc.
He described Veterans FOB as a plan to magnify the efforts of various veteran-based foundations that currently exist — The Lone Survivor Foundation, Matthew Axelson Foundation, Special Operation Wounded Warriors, Boot Campaign, Chris Kyle Memorial Foundation — by consolidating them in a coherent network.
In turn, the network provides incentives for everyone involved. For participating businesses, they’ll get constant brand awareness and advertising; for consumers, they’ll get to know where they’re money goes; and for foundations, they’ll be able to continue their mission.
Lifetime individual memberships to VFOB are $250. Annual memberships are $40 or $50 with a challenge coin.
On July 23, VFOB will host an outdoor expo at the Benghazi Memorial Site in Bigfork, Montana. The event will benefit Lone Survivor Foundation and Special Operations Wounded Warriors. The public is invited for food, games that include live fire and archery for virtually all ages, shopping and VFOB product testing. Admission is $3.50.
In addition to their website, VFOB has an active Facebook page with news on products and veterans’ issues.
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