Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bennett Honored as 2012 Wonder® Bread Hero

IRVING, Texas, July 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Wonder® bread has named Lt. Colonel Charles "Buck" Bennett, a Brunswick, GA resident and decorated veteran, as the winner of the 2012 Wonder Bread Heroes program, which celebrates ordinary Americans making extraordinary contributions to their families, communities and country. Buck was selected from 2,003 nominations submitted as part of the program which, for the second year, benefits the USO and its mission to lift the spirits of our nation's troops and their families.

"As Americans celebrate the July 4th holiday, it's a great time to thank our country's everyday heroes for the positive impact they have on the people around them and their local communities," said Stephanie Fletcher, Brand Manager for the bakers of Wonder. "The Wonder Bread Heroes campaign gives us a chance to honor Americans like Buck Bennett while supporting the USO's mission and the wonderful programs it offers."

From April 25th to June 8th, Wonder, in partnership with the USO, invited families across the country to nominate American heroes in their lives for a chance to have $50,000 donated to the USO in the winning hero's name. Buck Bennett, who was nominated by his wife, Joni, was chosen for his deep dedication to supporting active duty service men and women, veterans and military families. Buck volunteers his time regularly for Gold Star Families and Wounded Warriors and provides personal financial assistance, counseling and employment placement assistance for veterans. He also gathers and solicits items for care packages that he ships personally to deployed soldiers overseas to provide them with a few comforts of home.

As the 2012 Wonder Bread Hero winner, Buck was given the opportunity to direct the $50,000 donation in his name to four different USO programs: the United Through Reading® Military Program, Operation Phone Home, Sesame Street/USO Experience Tour and the With You All the Way program. He has chosen to divide the funding equally among the programs, which all focus on either keeping families connected during deployment or helping children cope with the stresses of military life. Buck will also receive $2,500 and a year's supply of Wonder bread for his exceptional heroism.

"Everything I do is not because I have to but because I want to. For someone to think what I'm doing is special humbles me greatly. It is especially touching that my wife thought so much of me to nominate me for this prestigious recognition," said Mr. (LTC) Bennett. "The USO has supported me on two deployments so I appreciate just how wonderful the organization is and am so grateful for this opportunity to give back thanks to Wonder bread."

LTC Bennett added, "Growing up my mom would always buy Wonder bread and I have fond memories of eating fresh tomatoes sandwiches from our farm on Wonder. I still grow tomatoes and as soon as I have my first crop I always sit down to a Wonder bread, tomato and mayo sandwich."

Along with LTC Bennett, two additional American heroes, Michael Martin of Inola, OK and Jessica Boyd of Tinton Falls, NJ were selected as Wonder Bread Heroes honorable mentions for their dedication to community service.

Michael, a volunteer firefighter in his hometown, was nominated by his two sons who are inspired by their dad's ability to work full time, volunteer for the fire department and take care of their handicapped sister. Following his recent volunteer work with the victims of the Joplin, MO tornado, Michael also started a program to build storm shelters for the people in his local community.

Jessica, the second Wonder Bread Heroes honorable mention, is an eight-year veteran of the police force in her local community of Tinton Falls. She works to educate and protect children in her area through the department's DARE program and recently rode 300 miles in the Police Unity Tour, to raise money for families of fallen police officers. Jessica has also carried the torch for the Special Olympics and volunteered for the "Dunk a Cop" dunk tank fundraiser for the Make a Wish Foundation.

Michael and Jessica will each receive $1,000 cash and a year's supply of Wonder bread for their heroics and commitment to their communities.

"The USO and Wonder bread are two great American classics," said Ms. Fletcher, Brand Manager for the bakers of Wonder.  "The USO has been making a difference in the lives of our American troops and their families for more than 70 years, and since 1921, Wonder bread has been an American family favorite. Together, we are proud to celebrate the Wonder Bread Heroes who inspire others with their courageous and selfless efforts." 

"The USO's mission is to lift the spirits of our military heroes and their families," said USO SVP and Chief Development Officer Kelli Seely. "It is fitting that the 2012 American Hero winner is not only someone who the USO had been fortunate enough to touch, but who also, like the USO, is committed to giving back to those who give so much for our country. Wonder Bread's donation in Mr. Bennett's name will go a long way toward helping the USO do what it does best- provide best-in-class programs and services our troops and their families need most. We are proud of this partnership and all of our nations everyday heroes dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others."  

Throughout the July 4th holiday celebration, families can pick up limited-edition, star-spangled packages of Wonder buns, featuring the "Proud Supporter of the USO" emblem, which are available on grocery shelves across the country.

For detailed information about the 2012 Wonder Bread Heroes program and winners, please visit: www.wonderbreadheroes.com. To learn more about the USO and the four programs receiving a total of $50,000 in donations, please visit uso.org.

For more information about Wonder, visit www.wonderbread.com or become a part of Wonder's Facebook community at www.facebook.com/wonderbread. You can also follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/wonderbread.

About Wonder:
Wonder bread, one of America's most popular brands of bread, has a long history of baking soft, delicious, and nutritious breads for the whole family. In 2010, Wonder® launched Smartwhite®, a new bread with the taste and soft texture of white bread - but with the fiber of 100% whole wheat bread. Last year, the brand also launched Wonder® Smartwheat®, a soft and delicious 100% whole wheat bread with added nutrition. Both breads have no high fructose corn syrup. In addition, Wonder Classic and Wonder Classic Sandwich breads have improved nutrition, providing the same amount of calcium as eight ounces of milk in two slices, and are good sources of vitamin D.

Wonder led the way in joining the National Sodium Reduction Initiative, an unprecedented public-private partnership established to help reduce sodium in foods by 20 percent over the next five years. Already, Wonder® Classic and Wonder® made with Whole Grain White and Smartwhite are baked to have reduced sodium.

About the USO:
The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America's troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases in the U.S. and abroad, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops, military families, wounded warriors and their families and the families of the fallen.

The USO is a private, nonprofit organization, not a government agency. All of our programs and services are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.  In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President's Circle Partners: American Airlines, AT&T, Clear Channel, The Coca-Cola Company, Kangaroo Express, Kroger, Lowe's, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Procter & Gamble, and TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Worldwide Strategic Partners: BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, and Microsoft Corporation. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381).  To join us in this patriotic mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.

SOURCE Wonder® Bread

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