Casey's Makes Special Pizza Delivery to Wounded Cedar Falls Sailor Taylor Morris in Washington D.C.

From Hope For the Warriors:

Casey’s Delivers Pizza Across Country for Iowa Hero
Delivery arranged by Casey’s and nonprofit for multiple amputee

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 12, 2012 – Living a thousand miles from his home town of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Petty Officer 3rd Class , USN, has missed some of the small comforts of home. Wounded on May 3 in Afghanistan, the quadruple amputee now lives at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Luckily, General Store made a special delivery and worked with Hope For The Warriors® to bring this local hero a special treat. Hope For The Warriors® is a national nonprofit organization that assists combat wounded service members, their families, and families of the fallen.

Staff members from Hope For The Warriors® visit the medical centers each week to meet wounded service members and family, identify needs and provide program assistance. During a weekly visit, the nonprofit’s staff members were introduced to Morris and his girlfriend, Danielle Kelly. Knowing they were speaking to someone from the Midwest, the conversation naturally turned to Casey’s General Store and the donation that Casey’s had just made to Hope For The Warriors®. (http://www.prlog.org/11905888-caseys-general-store-presents-check-to-military-nonprofit.html) As it turns out, Morris loves Casey’s pizza.

Hope For The Warriors® President, Robin Kelleher, shared this news with the staff at Casey’s. It did not take long for the Midwest company and the nonprofit to decide what they needed to do for this Iowa hero.

“Casey’s has made a commitment to give back to military families, and we were very proud to donate to Hope For The Warriors® last month,” said Bob Myers, Casey’s General Store President and CEO. “But we are just as proud to be able to bring a slice of home to this service member who has demonstrated great courage and hope in the face of adversity.”

On Wednesday, July 11, 2012, three Casey’s pizzas were packed in ice and hand carried onto a plane heading to Washington, D.C. Hope For The Warriors® staff members met the “Pizza Delivery Volunteer” at the airport. Casey’s provided special instructions so that each pizza was properly baked.

The next day, a Hope For The Warriors® staff member baked all three pizzas, following the strict orders provided. The pizzas were delivered to Morris, Kelly and several of their friends. The special delivery completely surprised and pleased Morris. All of the pizza was eaten very quickly!

“Hope For The Warriors® is committed to restoring hope in each wounded service member,” said Kelleher. “Sometimes a small gesture makes the greatest impact on reaching that goal. I will never forget this day.”

The mission of Hope For the Warriors® is to enhance the quality of life for post-9/11 service members, their families, and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty. Hope For The Warriors® is dedicated to restoring a sense of self, restoring the family unit, and restoring hope for our service members and our military families.

Hope For The Warriors® has earned a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org), an independent organization that evaluates fiscal responsibility and accountability of nonprofits.

Hope For The Warriors® (Federal Tax ID 20-5182295) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity as defined in sections 509(A)(1) and 170(B)(1)(A)(VI) of the Internal Revenue Code. Combined Federal Campaign, CFC #27800.