Plantation, FL and Chicago, IL – June 23, 2015: A slice of American pie -- pizza pie that is -- will reach nearly 10,000 troops serving in Afghanistan in honor of America’s Independence Day and their service to our country.
This Fourth of July, DHL Express, Rich’s and Pizzas 4 Patriots are taking Independence Day celebrations abroad to the U.S. servicemen and women overseas. With a special delivery of 5,500 pizza pies, troops located in the furthest operating bases in Afghanistan as well as Kuwait will get a taste of home and a reminder of how much their service and patriotism is appreciated.
Pizzas 4 Patriots, a Chicago-based non-profit organization, was created in 2008 when Retired Master Sergeant Mark Evans and his son, Kent, had the idea to deliver freshly frozen pizzas to U.S. troops serving abroad to show appreciation for the troops’ service. Since Pizzas 4 Patriots began working with international shipping specialist DHL Express, Evans and his son have been able to deliver more than one million “slices of home” to U.S. servicemen and women all over the world.
“It’s a huge endeavor, but when I see the looks on the faces of our men and women in combat who received these care packages in the past I know it was well-worth the effort,” said Retired Master Sergeant Mark Evans, founder of Pizzas 4 Patriots. “I created this organization to show my support and appreciation for U.S. servicemen and women, and I am grateful for the support of DHL Express and Rich’s making this delivery possible.”
The delicious meals will be provided this year by Rich Products Corporation, one of the nation’s leading pizza suppliers to the foodservice industry. DHL Express is donating the staff, infrastructure and resources of its global express delivery network to execute this Independence Day mission. Given the scorching Middle East summer heat, the international shipping specialists will work against the clock to ensure the perishable care packages are delivered fresh and in perfect condition. DHL personnel will load the perishable pies onto direct U.S. flights to the Middle East, re-icing the packages along the route and tracking the shipments every step of the way.
In addition to transportation, tracking and logistics management, DHL Express will work closely with the U.S. military to provide final, door-to-door delivery at the military bases. The pizza will be distributed to various Forward Operating Bases in Afghanistan.
“There’s no better feeling than to be appreciated and recognized, so we’re honored to leverage our global network and international shipping expertise to deliver reminders of home to the brave men and women that serve our country,” said Mike Parra, CEO of DHL Express U.S. “We are pleased that we can do our part to say ‘thank you’ to U.S. troops this Fourth of July.”
Since 2008, DHL has worked with Pizzas 4 Patriots to send more than 155,500 pizzas to U.S. military personnel overseas.
“As we all look forward to celebrating our independence as a country, it’s important to pause and thank those patriots who continue to serve our country. This is an outstanding way to show appreciation for our troops abroad. We’re thrilled to be a part of the effort, and we hope they will enjoy our pizzas,” said Dwight Gram, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Rich Products Corporation.
