Amazon donates $20K, Kindles to military support groups in SC | Business

Amazon Fulfillment in Columbia announced a donation of more than $20,000 in grants and Kindle devices to military support organization across the Midlands of South Carolina on Monday.

This is a part of Amazon’s continuing national commitment to members of the United States military and their families.

“Amazon is committed to supporting our military communities across the country, including eight great organizations here in South Carolina, “ said Mike Gatch, General Manager of Amazon’s Fulfillment Center in West Columbia. “These organizations make a difference for our military men and women and the families they leave behind in service to our country. We are proud of the work they do and are honored to support the organizations that support them.”

Recipient organizations include:

·      USO of South Carolina
The USO of South Carolina at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport serves as a gateway for service men and women whose training or deployment bring them through the Midlands of South Carolina

·      Military Child Education Coalition
This national organization works with military families through their "Tell Me A Story" parent-child program that helps parents open up opportunities to talk with their children about issues like deployment, etc.

·      American Red Cross – Fort Jackson Station’s Volunteen Program
The "Volunteen" program is a service opportunity in which military teens (14-18 years old) are volunteering in community outreach, veterans support, visitation at the VA hospital, etc.

·      Association of the United States Army Palmetto State Chapter
This chapter provides “Welcome Home” ceremonies for soldiers and family members following deployment. Their most recent have been for the 874th Forward Surgical Team and the 51st RAOC.

·      Hiring Our Heroes
This veterans-oriented program through the Columbia Chamber links military personnel with job opportunities across the Midlands through a jobs fair each spring at Ft. Jackson for retiring active duty, veterans and military family members.

·      Adopt-A-Guardsman Foundation
The Foundation provides support and resources for SC National Guardsmen and their families while guardsmen are away on deployment.

·      Honor Flight
This program takes WWII veterans to Washington, DC to visit the WWII Memorial and other sites around the US capital.

·      Operation Homefront
This organization provides support to wounded service members and their families during the challenging recovery process.

Last month, Amazon was named to the G.I. Jobs annual list of top military-friendly employers, marking its second consecutive year on the list.  Amazon’s ongoing commitment to hiring veterans was recognized last month by U.S. Veterans Magazine in its list of Top 100 companies recruiting veterans. Amazon has also been recognized by Military Spouse Magazine as a top military spouse-friendly employer.  

“When these American heroes return from their service, we’re grateful these organizations will be here to help them and their families,” Gatch added. “And as we continue to hire new fulltime and seasonal employees, we want to ensure that our nation’s veterans know that Amazon is a destination where they can turn their unique skill sets into a robust career.”