News & Events

CINCINNATI – October 16th, 2007 - Amy Thomas a Senior Account Manager for Telestar Media saw a listing in the Cincinnati Enquirer for a care package drive that The Thank You Foundation was holding to benefit Cincinnati area troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. She immediately headed for the Deals store in Symms Township where the drive was being held to support the effort.

There Amy learned of the various programs offered by the Foundation and knew her company had something to offer. As a result Telestar Media has now donated several tickets to Dayton Dragons and Cincinnati Reds baseball games as well as to Cedar Point Amusement Park in support of The Thank You Foundations “Tickets for Troops” program.

The Thank You Foundation offers Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom tickets to sporting and entertainment events as a way of expressing gratitude and appreciation for their service and sacrifice.

With the help and support of Telestar Media, The Lebanon Optimists, and others, the Foundation has been able to send Veterans and their families to not only Cincinnati and Dayton area events, but also to Atlanta Braves baseball, Washington Redskins football, University of Maryland football, and to Kings Island and Cedar Point Amusement Parks.

The Thank You Foundation operates its “Tickets for Troops” program through both monetary contributions and ticket donations from individuals and the business community.

Most recently Bengals Quarterback coach Ken Zampese and Todd Sledge of the Cincinnati Veterans Administration offered tickets all Bengals home football games to be distributed through the foundations program.

This past summer the Foundation was able to provide over 30 soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division of Ft Drum New York with tickets to a Red’s game. The soldiers had come to the area for a memorial service and The Thank You Foundation treated them with food, activities and a trip to the ballpark.

The program has reached outside of the Cincinnati area as well. Two weeks ago the Foundation was able to provide a pair of donated tickets to a Washington Redskins – New York Giants game to Travis Sigmon at Walter Reed Army Hospital. Travis was injured in an IED attack in June of this year.

John Guinn President and Founder of The Thank You Foundation said, “It is wonderful how these individuals and companies have stepped up to support the program. This is an excellent way of showing these young men and woman that their service is appreciated.” Gunn added “Some may look at this and think that the program is a bit superficial. What they don’t see is the young man suffering from PTSD and how the program offered a first step in a healing process. They weren’t there to see a father and son torn apart by war come together again for just a few hours and help to heal a broken relationship.”

Thomas stated. “This is a great thing the Foundation is doing for the troops and we are pleased to be a part of it.”

In addition to the tickets, companies such as Gold Star Chili, the Behl Street Café and A Bee Limousine have offered complimentary meals and transportation to ticket recipients.

Guinn also stated “We are always looking for corporate involvement with the Foundation and of course individuals who would like to contribute. Whether it be a monetary contribution or a donation of tickets to an event. To be able to able to say thank you to these men and woman is an honor and it means so much to them when they know that the public was a part of it”.

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