KNOXVILLE, Tenn., — Pilot Company and its guests have raised a record-breaking $1.75 million to help military veterans transition into the private workforce after their duties are completed.
The three-week, in-store round-up campaign benefited the nonprofit group Call of Duty Endowment.
This amount more than triples the original 2021 goal of $500,000 and will support a brigade-sized group of veterans – more than 3,000 service members – in their search for employment.
“We’re proud to support military service members and their families every day with a year-round discount at our stores,” said Shameek Konar, CEO of Pilot Company.
“For Veterans Day, it was important that we do something special to not only thank Veterans, but also support them. We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our guests and the hard work of our team members to raise this record-setting amount for the Call of Duty Endowment that will help thousands of Veterans find their next career.”
As a part of its giving-back commitment, Pilot Company has partnered with the Endowment since 2019 to support the nonprofit’s goal to help 100,000 Veterans secure post-service employment by 2024. From Oct. 25 – Nov. 15, guests were invited to join the cause by rounding-up their change at the company’s more than 750 participating U.S. travel centers, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the Endowment. Pilot Company matched $100,000 of the donations.
To help raise awareness for the Call of Duty Endowment’s mission and recognize Veterans, the campaign was featured on the Pilot Flying J No. 1 Chevrolet in two Xfinity Series races: at the Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 30 and at the Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 6. The Pilot Flying J No. 1 Chevrolet featured a camouflage picture collage of Veterans that have received employment assistance through the Endowment and of Pilot Company team members that are Veterans, including the company’s Founder, Jim Haslam II.
On Veterans Day, Pilot Company thanked all active-duty service members and veterans with a free $10 meal* through the myRewards Plus™ app. Military members that verify their status with ID.me in the myRewards Plus™ app can always get special savings, including a year-round 10% discount on food and beverages*, at the company’s participating Pilot Flying J Travel Centers and One9 Fuel Network locations.
For more information about the Call of Duty Endowment, go to callofdutyendowment.org. To learn more about Pilot Company, including career opportunities and its giving-back initiatives, visit pilotcompany.com/about.
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