Orlando Hooters to Support Tom Valentine Fund and Military through 15 Mile Hooters Run Across the City

ATLANTA, March 19 /PRNewswire/ --  Hooters of Orlando Airport General Manager, Jeff Spraker, and 15 others will be running and biking across the city of Orlando in support of the Tom Valentine Fund and Operation Homefront.  The 15 mile run will begin at the Hooters of Orlando Airport, located at 7222 Augusta National Drive, at 8 AM where the team will take off and head to their destination, the Hooters of Casselberry, located at 2699 Cassel Creek Blvd.  The team will be running with an oversized American Flag, in honor of Tom Valentine and the military.

"This is the 2nd year we have raised money for the Tom Valentine Fund, and I thought we could take it a step further," stated Spraker.  "The men and woman of our armed forces have given us the freedoms that we have been able to enjoy today and for that we all are privileged to carry the American Flag to represent our support in their honor."

The Valentine Fund was established by Hooters and Operation Homefront in honor of fallen hero SOCS Thomas J. Valentine.  The fund will support the families of Special Forces service members and other military families.

Thomas J. Valentine, a Navy SEAL troop chief, was killed during a training exercise Feb. 13, 2008.  He left behind his wife, Christina, a 16-year member of the Hooters family, and two young children.  In honor of his sacrifice, Hooters established a fund in Valentine's name through Operation Homefront.  

Hooters of America, Inc. is the franchisor and operator of over 460 Hooters restaurants in 42 states and 28 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.  For more information about Hooters visit www.hooters.com.  

SOURCE Hooters of America, Inc.