DHL Partners with Non-Profit 'Pizzas 4 Patriots' to Deliver Care Packages to U.S. Servicemen and Women

Enough Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza and Stuffed Pizza to feed 30,000 servicemen and women, provided at-cost by The Original Gino's East of Chicago and Edwardo's Natural Pizza, along with 7,000 bottles of high protein Honey Milk and 500 footballs from America's Dairy Farmers, will leave Chicago, Ill. on January 29th, headed for several bases throughout Iraq in time for Super Bowl events.

'As a retired member of the military, I appreciate the support of my local community and patriots across the country who have donated to this cause and help us bring reminders of home to our U.S. troops stationed thousands of miles away,' said Ret. MSgt. Mark Evans. 'The reactions that we continue to get for this effort from families, friends of the military and the troops themselves are always heartfelt and encouraging.'

In addition to the global delivery, Evans will be distributing pizzas from local vendors to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC; Audie Murphy Veterans Memorial Hospital as well as other VA hospitals around the country.

'As the specialists in international shipping, DHL Express is pleased to continue our partnership with 'Pizzas 4 Patriots' and leverage our global network to transport these care packages that lift the spirits of our servicemen and women,' said Ian Clough, CEO of DHL Express U.S.'

'The Original Gino's East of Chicago and Edwardo's Natural Pizza is very excited to participate in this event,' says Ivan Himmel, chairman of Bravo Restaurants, Inc. 'These brave young men and women have given so much for our country and it is our obligation and privilege to show them that we support them in their efforts world wide.'

'America's Dairy Farmers are grateful for the opportunity to say 'thank you' and show our support for the brave men and women serving our country around the world,' said Paul Rovey, Arizona dairy farmer and chair of Dairy Management Inc. TM, the organization that works on behalf of America's dairy families.

The mission to show appreciation and bring reminders of home to the men and women in uniform overseas was conceived by Ret. MSgt. Mark Evans of Elk Grove Village, Ill. Evans was inspired by his 15-year-old son Kent who questioned if there was a way to deliver freshly-frozen Chicago-style pizzas to servicemen and women. The initial effort in 2008 required 2,000 pizzas and was extremely well received. So much so, that with the support of DHL Express last July, Evans was able to coordinate the delivery of a record-breaking 28,000 pizzas to U.S. servicemen and women serving in the Middle East for Independence Day celebrations.

On January 29th, thousands of pizzas packaged in temperature-controlled containers, along with high protein Honey Milk and 500 footballs will be picked up at The Original Gino's East of Chicago at 162 E. Superior Street in Chicago, Ill, and loaded onto DHL Express trucks. From Chicago O'Hare International Airport, the care package will transit DHL's principal air hub in Cincinnati for a direct flight to DHL's hub in Leipzig, Germany, and then onward to the DHL hub in Bahrain. From there, the shipments will be re-iced and separated for transportation to several military bases in Iraq, just in time for Super Bowl events.

DHL Express has been selected by the Department of Defense for service to numerous locations around the globe based on the extensive service capabilities and "first in market" approach provided in support of US servicemen and women. DHL Express was also the first international air express carrier to provide service to Iraq and Afghanistan, and operates the most extensive logistics service in the Middle East Region.

To donate to Pizzas 4 Patriots, visit www.pizzas4patriots.com.

Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

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