Drop And Give Me 10 Push-up Challenge Takes Off

Benefiting Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation

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Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation

Jun 04, 2015, 10:33 ET

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla., June 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Americans across the country are joining in on a push-up challenge that is being tracked, tagged, tweeted and posted with #DropAndGiveMe10. Celebrities, active military, veterans and everyday citizens are taking videos of them doing push-ups and nominating more people to do the same.

As an effort to spread awareness and raise money for Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, whose mission is to provide college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent while serving our country, the campaign kicked off during Memorial Day Weekend. This added more relevance and a deeper meaning for many Americans who have lost a loved one while serving in the United States military.

Participants in the challenge film a video of themselves doing pushups in honor of our fallen patriots. For each successful pushup, they donate $2, $5 or $10 (or any amount) to Children of Fallen Patriots and then challenge three more people to do the same.

The campaign became viral last Friday, May 29, on The Today Show, when Kathie Lee Gifford accepted the #DropAndGiveMe10 push-up challenge from Bear Grylls, who also participated. Kathie Lee explained that since she has back issues, she would pass along her good friend Bear's challenge to Hoda Kotb, her co-host on Today Show's Kathie Lee and Hoda.

Bear Grylls is known around the world as one of the most recognized faces of survival and outdoor adventure and star of the Discovery Channel's Emmy nominated TV show Man Vs Wild and Born Survivor. He is also a former British SAS, their version of Navy SEALs, and is a big supporter of the military. Grylls also challenged Jesse Tyler Ferguson from the smash hit TV sitcom, Modern Family, and New Orleans Saints Quarterback, Drew Brees, who took the challenge and nominated Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan. Rob accepted and nominated Bravo's Andy Cohen, executive producer of the Real Housewives series. Now, Rob's twin brother, Coach Rex Ryan of the Buffalo Bills, as well as the entire Bills team, have been nominated to take the challenge Dinosaur Bar-B-Q, a popular Northeast bar-b-que restaurant chain.

Hoda challenged TV personalities Matt Lauer, Jimmy Fallon and Meredith Vieira. Lauer accepted and did his perfect push-ups Tuesday on The Today Show.

Kathie Lee challenged Greg Gutfeld, today's guest on their show and Fox News host, as well as Hugh Jackman, widely known for his role as Wolverine in the Marvel movie hits. Gutfeld accepted Kathie Lee's challenge and then challenged Bill O'Reilly to the #DropAndGiveMe10 push-up challenge.

"It is an honor to have so much support from communities across the nation," explains John Coogan, Executive Director for Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. "We can't thank everyone enough for contributing to this challenge, and we are looking forward to seeing more videos as they are posted. We have built a website in order to host the videos and record the progress for our participants." That address is www.DropAndGiveMe10.net.

Videos are being posted on social media platforms with the hashtag #DropandGiveMe10. Donations can be made online at http://campaign.fallenpatriots.org/DropAndGiveMe10.

Headquartered in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Fallen Patriot's vision is to ensure education to all such children by bridging the gap between existing sources of grants and scholarships and the total cost of college. It is estimated that there are 20,000 children who deserve their assistance. With help through financial support, volunteering, or spreading their message, Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation's mission will be a success.

SOURCE Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation