Local ‘High Life’ campaign begins
A group called Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and iconic American brand Miller High Life have partnered for a second year for the “Give a Veteran a Piece of the High Life” campaign.
Miller High Life has pledged up to $1 million in cash and “High Life” experiences for specially marked bottle caps and tabs from Miller collected from across the country.
Locally, North Fort Myers Amvets Post 81 and American Legion Post 336 have been collecting for the campaign.
The “experiences” will be everything from tickets to Major League Baseball and National Football League games, NASCAR races, sporting events, concerts and more.
“Besides games and events, locally one veteran will throw out a first pitch at a local ball game,” said Amvets Post 81 Provost Marshal Doug Robeson of the experiences themselves.
“For us, it is veterans helping veterans. They (Iraq and Afghanistan veterans) are the new kids on the block. We do not know what it is like for them, but we do know what it was like for us.”
Both Amvets and American Legion officials – including American Legion Post 336 Women’s Auxiliary President Dee Simms – are asking for cap and tab donations from legal-drinking-age local residents.
“The public can drop those off at either of our locations, but they must be in by Saturday, Sept. 24, to count. The campaign ends n Sept. 30, and we will mail them in.”
Other area and regional veterans groups also collecting are posts in Fort Myers and the District 6 Auxiliary. “We’re all pulling resources,” Robeson said.
Last year was such a success Miller officials said they want this campaign to be bigger this second year. With the outpouring of support new veterans received last year through our Give a Veteran a Piece of the High Life program, we knew it was important to continue bringing vets unique experiences. “We believe in doing more than just writing a check, said Miller High Life Brand Manager Brendan Noonan in a prepared statement.
IAVA is a relatively new group, said Robeson, only in its second year. It is noted as the nation’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Miller High Life is leading the nation in supporting new veterans,” said IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff in a prepared statement. “This program is like the welcome home parade that our generation has never received.
This new generation of veterans is unique because we are geographically dispersed and lacking a natural community. Through the Give a Veteran a Piece of the High Life campaign, Miller High Life is giving new vets a fun way to connect with each other in easy and meaningful ways.”
In addition, IAVA plans to expand critical employment resources and outreach to new veterans making the transition from combat to career.
Miller High Life is donating 10 cents for specially marked caps or tabs returned by Sept. 30.
Iraq and Afghanistan veterans can visit TheRucksack.org to find unique “High Life experiences in their community and to request tickets. Veterans must be confirmed (paperwork-certified) IAVA members to gain access to these events and opportunities. The Rucksack also gives partners, sponsors or individuals a platform to provide experiences to returning veterans nationwide.
You can drop off the caps and at either the local American Legion 336 or Amvets Post 81.
The American Legion -Ralph W. Sparks American Legion Post 336 – is at 5770 Bayshore Rd., just east of Sweetbay Supermarket. The phone number there is 543-1919.
The Amvets post – Jack Cava Amvets Post 81- is at 1910 N Tamiami Trl, just north of Winn Dixie and across from the Goodwill Thrift Store. The post number is 995-1001.
You can also learn more by visiting IAVA.org or millerhighlife.com.