ESPN employees pack care kits, remodel home, power gift drive in Salute to Veterans Week projects

As part of ESPN’s Salute to Veterans Week, Team ESPN volunteers have expressed support for troops, veterans and military families in a variety of ways.

Earlier this week, ESPN employees in Bristol, Conn. and in New York City assembled more than 1,200 USO deployment kits for troops. The kits included basic necessities — toothpaste, razors and deodorant — as well as snacks, games, VIA coffee packets donated by Starbucks and copies of ESPN The Magazine. Many of those kits will be sent to active military from Connecticut as well as to first responders in recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy.

“We wanted to provide opportunities for our employees to directly impact the lives of servicemen and women and veterans here at home,” said Kevin Martinez, senior director, Corporate Outreach. “This is an important way for the entire ESPN community to express our support and gratitude.”

ESPN also teamed up with the USO to drive sports fans and viewers to donate a gift to troops and their families through the USO Wishbook at USO.org/ESPN. Items include a phone call home, a family fun day or football and baseball equipment for pick-up games overseas. ESPN will run unique USO PSAs to promote the campaign across select ESPN media platforms.

Additionally, dozens of ESPN volunteers will team up with The Mission Continues on Friday, Nov. 9 for a day of service in Bridgeport, Conn. at ABRI/Homes for the Brave, a transitional housing facility for homeless veterans. Joined by volunteers from The Home Depot — sponsor of ESPN’s College GameDay — Team ESPN will work alongside veterans to remodel, paint and upgrade the facility.