Hudson Group announced May 26, a special milestone of more than $3 million in customer donations of phone cards to U.S. military personnel. The pre-activated AT&T cards, sold in Hudson and Hudson News stores nationwide, retail for $5 and $15 each, and allow troops to call home to their families and friends, and connect to the Internet for free.
Nearly 258,000 phone cards have been donated within care packages to USO chapters across the U.S. to-date.
The promotion began in late 2014 and exists in nearly 70 Hudson, Hudson News, and Hudson Booksellers airport-store locations. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport customers have donated the most, followed by Los Angeles International Airport and San Diego International Airport.
“We are honored to support USO chapters and military service organizations nationwide,” said Joseph DiDomizio, president and CEO of Hudson Group, Division CEO North America of Dufry. “A simple gesture goes a long way, especially with someone who spends his or her life happily serving others. This program represents our continued commitment to be 'The Traveler's Best Friend.' Hudson Group is a charitable company with a large philanthropic footprint, and this is just one way we are strengthening the communities in which we serve.”
Special Events & Programs Supporting the U.S. Military
From May 28 to July 4, Hudson and Hudson News retail locations will launch a series of events and local programs nationwide to thank military for their sacrifice and service. A sampling of the events and promotions are included below:
- Fleet Week New York: From May 24 to May 30, Hudson Group’s flagship brand Hudson will sponsor a USO Pop-Up Center located ship-side in New York City to greet thousands of military service men and women during their visit to the ports of New York for Fleet Week. The USO of Metropolitan New York and Hudson Group will be the first point-of-welcome for 13 ships with more than 5,000 U.S. service members. The week-long celebration, held Memorial Day weekend, will include public visitations on participating ships, military concerts, and many USO activities.
- Share a Coke With a Service Member Promotion: On Memorial Day, May 29; Canada Day, July 1; Independence Day, July 4; and Veterans Day, November 11, Hudson Group will offer a free 20oz Coke, Diet Coke or Coke Zero to service men and women in uniform with a valid military service ID. Signs and banners at participating locations in airports and transit terminals across the country showcase the promotion. In addition, Hudson Group will continue to offer its 20 percent discount to active service men and women throughout North America. The free coke product will be available in all 550+ Hudson-operated locations.
- Veteran Hiring Efforts: Throughout the year, Hudson Group works extensively with Edge4Vets, an organization that offers workshops based on a resiliency training model that's been used successfully with 35,000 employees in aviation, health care and hospitality. Under this model, veterans get support from business mentors who help them identify strengths they developed in the military and apply their strengths for success in school, work, and life.
