Batteries Plus Launches "Time to Care" Campaign

National Retailer Teams up with USA Cares to Benefit Jobs for Vets Program

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May 12, 2011, 09:00 ET

HARTLAND, Wis., May 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent studies from the Bureau of Labor Statistics find that the jobless rate of veterans is 15.6 percent - far exceeding the national average of nine percent. Batteries Plus, the nation's largest and fastest growing battery franchise, was shocked by this gap and decided to create a campaign called, "Time to Care", to help bridge it.

Batteries Plus, with more than 450 stores nationwide, has teamed up with USA Cares, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization that helps post-9/11 military service members, veterans and their families with basic financial needs. USA Cares, founded in 2003, helps bear the burdens of service by providing military families and veterans with financial and advocacy support in their time of need. They have helped families in all 50 states and have received over 27,000 requests for assistance. No fees are ever charged and no repayment is ever requested.

The "Time to Care" campaign's goal is to raise awareness about USA Cares and their Jobs for Vets program and raise funds to help veterans get placed back into the work force after serving their country. For one week in May (May 24th- May 30th Memorial Day) and one week in November (November 5th – November 11th Veterans Day) participating Batteries Plus locations across the nation will be teaming up with USA Cares to:

Donate $5 from each regular or lifetime watch battery replacement to USA Cares during these two designated weeks.
Accept "In-Kind" donations from customers which will go to USA Cares

Batteries Plus, LLC will also be contributing $1 for every person who "likes" the Batteries Plus Facebook page and "supports" the USA Cares Jobs for Vets Cause page – up to $25,000. For more information, please visit http://tinyurl.com/BatteriesPlusTimeToCare

"Veterans are near and dear to Batteries Plus' heart," said Russ Reynolds, CEO. "Many of our franchisees are veterans and many of our stores employ veterans. They are a valuable addition to the Batteries Plus family because of their strong work ethic, loyalty and discipline," Reynolds added.

Batteries Plus is a proud member of VetFran, a program created to honor those men and women who have served in the U.S. military and developed to help them transition to civilian life. Batteries Plus offers a $10,000 discount off their franchise fee in several states to qualified military veterans who are seeking to purchase a Batteries Plus franchise.

"Without the financial help of organizations such as Batteries Plus we wouldn't have the resources to give these veterans what they need," said Bill Nelson, Executive Director of USA Cares. "We hope that all Americans will visit their local Batteries Plus during the 'Time to Care' campaign to get their watch battery replaced and find out other ways they can help. Together we will reduce the impact of joblessness among veterans."

ABOUT BATTERIES PLUS

Batteries Plus is the nation's largest and fastest growing battery retailer, selling more than 50 million batteries per year. Batteries Plus, designated by Inc. Magazine as the nation's fastest growing specialty retailer and ranked as the #1 Battery Franchise by both Entrepreneur Magazine and D&B AllBusiness.com, has more than 450 locations in 45 states and Puerto Rico. With access to more than 30,000 types of batteries and accessories, Batteries Plus has the widest selection of batteries and battery-related products and offers unmatched service to consumers, businesses and government entities at the national and local levels. Batteries Plus stores also feature Tech Centers equipped to design, assemble, rebuild, and test custom battery packs. Batteries Plus continues its reign as the undisputed battery retailing leader in the expanding $24 billion US battery category, estimated to reach $33.6 billion in 2012. To learn more about our exciting franchise opportunities and joining the battery franchise leader please visit www.batteriesplus.com for more information.

About USA Cares

USA Cares is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that helps post-9/11 military service members, veterans and their families with basic financial needs, assists veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) works to prevent home foreclosures and evictions and assists veterans with career placement. USA Cares has received over 27,000 requests for help and responded with more than $7.7 million in grants. Learn more at http://usacares.org/.

SOURCE Batteries Plus