Posted on 12/11/2007 4:15:06 PM PST by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2007 A Chilean winery, through its U.S. marketer, is helping to make sure servicemembers stationed away from home this holiday season can stay in touch with loved ones.
Cell Phones for Soldiers is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad. There are three components to our program, said Preis, a portfolio director for Palm Bay International who works with Santa Rita. One is a cash contribution. Preis presented Cell Phones for Soldiers founders, siblings Brittany and Robbie Bergquist, with a $25,000 check on behalf of Santa Rita during Veterans Day weekend. The cash donation is in addition to the 2,500 drop boxes located at participating retailers around the country where Santa Rita consumers can donate their used cell phones. Cell Phones for Soldiers collects and recycles cell phones, and uses the proceeds to purchase pre-paid phone cards for servicemembers. Publicity is the third component of support the wine maker is offering. We have put out not just the drop boxes, but 500,000 neckers that go on bottles, Preis said. (They) give information about the charity and how people can contribute directly. The program is raising awareness about Cell Phones for Soldiers on a national basis, Preis said. He added that support in all aspects of this has been unbelievable and without precedent. It goes to show that social marketing causes where youre supporting charitable efforts really have an impact and a link with consumers, he said. Preis said theres a very reasonable, and historic, explanation for why a Chilean winery wants to support U.S. soldiers. The story begins with an 1840 battle fought on what is now Santa Rita property. (The) battle was led by a gentleman by the name of Gen. Bernardo OHiggins, he said. He was basically the Chilean equivalent of George Washington. As it turns out, OHiggins would be instrumental in the countrys struggle to emancipate itself from Spains rule. Because of that history, Santa Rita officials identify with the United States, its early struggles for freedom and its strong support for the military, Preis said. The winery expressed its desire to support U.S. servicemembers during a strategic planning meeting with Palm Bay International personnel in March, he said. It was shortly after that meeting that he learned about the Bergquists and Cell Phones for Soldiers while reading a New York newspaper. We wanted to do a focused program for (the Army and Air Force Exchange Service) and (Navy Exchange Service Command) showing that Santa Rita supported the troops, he said. Buying phone cards was one of the ideas that came up, and in the New York Times was this article about these two unbelievable teens that had started Cell Phones for Soldiers three years ago. After contacting the Bergquist family directly, the rest, Preis said, is history. The program supporting Cell Phones for Soldiers will continue through Dec. 31, and Palm Bay International is accepting requests for cell phone collection boxes. Veterans of Foreign Wars chapters and Boy Scout troops, among other groups, have requested boxes, Preis said. (The extended outreach) been a really nice side benefit, he said. Even nicer for the Bergquists is the fact that Santa Rita and Palm Bay International are working on extending their support of Cell Phones for Soldiers. We are going to be working with them on an ongoing basis, and the relationship will continue, Preis said. Were actually looking at ways right now to extend the program into 2008 and beyond. |
Related Sites: Cell Phones for Soldiers America Supports You |
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Chile rocks!
These wines are going on my shopping list!!
Hmmm, I’ll have to grab a bottle or three for the holidays...
My wife and I stayed at this winery 2 years ago and I will tell you they make a superb Cabernet, in fact they do not make a bad wine. Stay with the Santa Rita labeled ones and go for the Reserva as it is all Oak barrel aged, the 120 line is not but still a great wine.
We still talk fondly of Chile, great country to visit and we will go back.
Yet another reason to buy their wines.
Took a tour of their vineyard and winery a few months ago. The owner built and filled his own museum of pre Columbian artifacts on the property. It was an amazingly extensive private collection. I also liked the small chapel inside the main building dedicated to Saint Rita.
Long live Pinochet!!
Santa Rita wines are excellent, and it will be even more of a pleasure buying them now that I know what a fine company produces them. Thanks for the post.
What I was going to say. I've always been a big fan of Chilean wines. You to get great Chilean wines dirt cheap, but the prices have gone up - still a good value.
I'm more fond of Pinot Noir...
I’m partial to Pinot Gris
Ah, I miss the Northwest, Oregon had them both...(sigh...)
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