Part of a fundraising drive to provide scholarships for military
spouses and dependents
WASHINGTON, June 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ThanksUSA, a charitable
effort to mobilize Americans to "thank" the nation's active-duty troops,
will present a benefit concert on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at the Warner
Theatre in Washington, D.C., at 7:00 PM EDT.
Headlining the event will be Stephen Cochran, a former U.S. Marine and
country newcomer, and international recording artist Mylin, whose father
served in the U.S. Navy. The concert is part of a broad fundraising drive
to provide college scholarships to the spouses and dependents of
active-duty troops.
The show is produced by National Events Inc. Media, and partners
include WMZQ radio, WRC4 television, Capitol File magazine, and Military
Times Media Group. American Airlines is the official airline for the
concert.
Over the past two years, ThanksUSA has awarded nearly $4 million in
need-based, post-secondary scholarships to more than 1,350 spouses and
children of military members serving on active-duty status; scholarships
have been presented to recipients in all 50 states and the District of
Columbia.
Tickets for the concert are on sale today for $25 each and can be
purchased through Ticketmaster or by visiting http://www.ThanksUSA.org and
clicking on ThanksUSA Benefit Concert.
"Mylin and Stephen Cochran have been active supporters of ThanksUSA.
This benefit concert allows us to show appreciation for the sacrifices our
troops make in serving our country while raising money to fund scholarships
for their families," said Michele Stork, executive director of ThanksUSA.
Mylin, daughter of a U.S. Navy sailor, has released four albums on an
international major label, topped international charts, and played recent
shows on Nick Lachey's tour, with Five for Fighting and Patti LaBelle. She
has played 11 shows at U.S. military bases over the past 18 months in
support of the troops, and has recently been invited on a USO Tour to
Romania and an AFE Tour to Asia.
Stephen Cochran joined the Marines after the events of 9/11 and
completed two tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, returning home injured
from his second tour. Cochran used his recovery time to reignite his
passion for songwriting and released his debut country album in the fall of
2007.
Both artists are currently featured in a ThanksUSA "PSA" for the troops
airing on radio and television across the country through availability by
the National Association of Broadcasters
"A lot of well-intentioned organizations are working to help the
troops," said Mylin. "What ThanksUSA has done is so practical, impactful,
and lasting in the lives of the troops and their families, and is the most
effective I've seen. I'm honored to be a part of what they're doing."
"I love the Marine Corps -- everything they did for me gave me the
drive to know that I can do anything I want to do," added Cochran. "I'm
proud to be able to give back with this benefit concert and with this
organization that is doing so much for all the men and woman serving in the
military."
ThanksUSA's need-based scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis
to the spouses and children of active-duty military personnel who plan to
pursue a post-secondary education, including vocational and technical
training. Recipients are selected based on financial need, academic record,
demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community
activities.
ThanksUSA is in the midst of a fundraising drive to raise $1 million by
July 4, 2008. Interested individuals, organizations and corporations are
encouraged to make a direct donation to the ThanksUSA scholarship fund at
http://www.ThanksUSA.org.
About ThanksUSA
Founded in the fall of 2005, ThanksUSA, a non-partisan 501(c)(3)
organization, is an effort to thank the men and women of our armed forces
and their families for their service to the country with the gift of
education. The organization provides need-based, posts-secondary education
opportunities to the children and spouses of active-duty status military
personnel through competitive scholarships. For more information, visit
http://www.ThanksUSA.org.
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