Hallmark Partners With the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Foundation to Donate 20,000 Hallmark Recordable Storybooks to U.S. Troops

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Hallmark is partnering with the VFW Foundation to donate 20,000 Hallmark Recordable Storybooks to U.S. military forces this month. Members of the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force each will receive donated books to help bring active military and their families together, especially when duty causes them to be apart during the holiday season.

"The men and women of the U.S. military sacrifice so much for our country every day, including time with their families," said Carol Hallquist, vice president of Hallmark's Corporate Foundation. "We are honored to have the opportunity — thanks to our long-time partnership with the VFW Foundation — to help military families connect through our Recordable Storybooks."

Hallmark Recordable Storybooks feature an exclusive voice-capture technology that records the reader's voice, which is then captured within the pages of the book. When a page is turned, the Recordable Storybook automatically plays the text on that page in the reader's voice. The recording lasts for the life of the Recordable Storybook, and those who "read" the books can listen to their loved one read to them, even if they are on the other side of the world.

Service men and women benefiting by this partnership will receive a copy of The Night Before Christmas Recordable Storybook, allowing them to leave a recording of their voice for story time to a child back home even when they are deployed overseas. Troops stationed abroad also can celebrate the season by listening to family members read the recorded holiday tale to them.

"Donations like this mean so much to our troops overseas and their families back home," said Dan Shea, executive director of the VFW Foundation. "Friends like Hallmark, through their contributions, are making a huge impact in the lives of our men and women in uniform. And while the VFW Foundation has had a successful partnership with Hallmark for many years, we are excited to begin this new chapter with Hallmark Recordable Storybooks."

Since the beginning of their partnership eight years ago, Hallmark and the VFW Foundation have shipped more than $32 million in cards, party supplies, gift wrap and more to armed forces in all 50 states, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany.

For more information about Hallmark's Recordable Storybooks and other titles in the collection, visit http://www.hallmark.com/recordablestorybooks. To learn more about the VFW Foundation, visit http://www.vfwfoundation.org/ and www.returnthefavor.org.

About Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Hallmark makes the world a more caring place by helping people express what's in their hearts and spend time together — a privilege few other companies in the world enjoy. Hallmark greeting cards and other products are found in more than 40,000 retail outlets in the U.S., including the network of flagship Hallmark Gold Crown^® stores. The brand also reaches people online at Hallmark.com, via cell phone at Hallmark Mobile Greetings and on television through Hallmark Hall of Fame original movies and cable's top-rated Hallmark Channel. Worldwide, Hallmark offers products in more than 30 languages available in 100 countries. This privately held company is based in Kansas City, Mo., and is led by the third generation of the founding Hall family. Visit http://corporate.hallmark.com and http://www.hallmark.com/100years for more details.

About the VFW Foundation

The VFW Foundation is the official charity of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), America's oldest and largest service group for combat veterans. Established in 1996, it is one of America's most highly rated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The VFW Foundation's mission is to support nonpolitical programs and services that improve the lives of veterans, active duty military and their families. All VFW Foundation programs are nonpolitical, free and require no VFW affiliation for assistance. From financial aid for families of deployed troops to assisting veterans with benefits claims to providing free phone calls home for soldiers overseas, the VFW Foundation is there to "return the favor" by providing assistance to those who deserve it most. Learn more about VFW Foundation at www.vfwfoundation.org and www.returnthefavor.org.

About the VFW and its Foundation

Since its inception in 1899, the VFW, America's oldest and largest service group for combat veterans, has without fail taken the lead in ensuring that issues of vital importance to American military personnel and veterans have not been ignored. This proud tradition of unwavering dedication to the cause of freedom, patriotism and concern for individuals who have so selflessly defended our country abroad is unique to the American experience. Today, the VFW's 1,600,000 members, both male and female, come from every conceivable geographic region, ethnic heritage and span a wide range of adult ages. The VFW Foundation was established in 1996 as the official charity of the VFW. Learn more about VFW Foundation and Return the Favor at www.returnthefavor.org.  

SOURCE Hallmark Cards, Inc.