Groups Make Good With Saddam's Coins to Financially Assist Families of Fallen and Injured American Heroes; Donation Goal Set at $20+ Million

WASHINGTON, May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- In the spirit of Memorial Day, Products for Good, LLC and Operation Family Fund announced today the growing success and support in their unique effort to aid the families of fallen and injured soldiers in the Global War on Terror. Today, veterans of the Iraqi War, Grammy winner Lee Greenwood and representatives of the National Museums of the US Air Force will join the for-profit and not-for-profit team at the National Press Club to exhibit the life-changing impact of the Patriotic Shadowbox project.

The shadowboxes contain coins that were decommissioned by Saddam Hussein himself and salvaged by Coalition Forces, are now supporting America's military families. Charlotte, NC-based Products for Good packages the Iraqi 'Fils' in shadowboxes commemorating the heroism of the men and women in uniform who have fought for all of the freedoms we enjoy everyday, and sells the boxes as a tribute to all who served in the US military over the past 200 years. The company then makes donations to military assistance groups. For example, 25% of the gross revenue of its sales goes to non-profit groups, such as Operation Family Fund, an organization that offers financial grants to families grieving for their lost servicemen or helping wounded ones to recover.

"We'll never be able to repay our brave soldiers who have sacrificed for their country, but we can do something for their families," said Operation Family Fund Founder and CEO Mike Cash. "You wouldn't believe the difference that a $5,000 or $10,000 grant can make to a military family trying to make ends meet, and Products for Good is helping us to make those grants every day."

The mission of Products for Good continues in the spirit of Memorial Day. Today, Products for Good will formally present a check donation to Operation Family Fund, The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc (TAPS) and The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes at the Press Club today for a total donation of $20,000.

Including today's donations, Products for Good has raised more than $86,000 for the families of wounded and fallen soldiers of the Global War on Terror, and hopes to donate more than $20 million through the sales of the rare coins. This financial support has been a lifeline for grieving families.

"Operation Family Fund and Products for Good is a real support system," said Sgt. John Iverson with the California National Guard. "Though I will not be able to go back to my regular job because of the damage to the optical nerve in my right eye caused by an IED blast, the funds are enabling me to buy food, clothing, gas, and pay the rent."

"I am extremely grateful to Operation Family Fund and Products for Good because they enable families of the War, like mine, to continue living our daily lives," said Adrianne Hill, whose husband, Sgt. Michael Hill was wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq. "The funds from the donation kept us from losing our house while Michael was in the hospital."

Also today, Products for Good is securing support from the US military museums. The first to receive the coins is The National Museum of the United States Air Force in Ohio, which has agreed to showcase the shadowboxes in a permanent collection.

The shadowboxes are currently being assembled by Cleveland Vocational Industries (CVI), a facility providing employment opportunities for Americans with barriers to entry in the traditional workforce. Ken Bagby, CVI Founder and Executive Director, says "this is potentially the largest project we have ever participated in and can provide as many as 150 employment opportunities for our team. We are extremely appreciative that Products For Good has allowed us to participate in the effort, and to allow the coins to do one more layer of good for this group of mentally and physically challenged Americans."

Once symbols of a brutal and oppressive regime, the coins have since been used to benefit both the victims of that regime and those who toppled it. When British forces first came upon the currency sitting in a bank vault, untouched and un-circulated since they had been minted, they decided to consign them to a London metals company, who sold them and donated the proceeds to a Basra orphanage and to the British Commonwealth War Graves Memorial in Basra. Now, the coins are aiding the American families of those who drove Saddam from Baghdad. The complete and fascinating story of the traveling coins can be found at http://www.productsforgood.com/info.htm.

Supporters

The expanding list of groups that have pledged their support to the shadowbox donation effort this Memorial Day is:

  * The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes
  * The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc. (TAPS)
  * The National Museum of the United States Air Force

  About Products for Good

Products for Good, LLC is offering three unique patriotic shadowbox sets, featuring Iraqi coins recovered by coalition forces from the banks of Basra. The Iraqi coins are surrounded by signs of freedom we enjoy everyday, the freedom that has been provided by our brave men and women of the United States military. The keepsakes are a tribute to all who have served this great nation. These shadowboxes allow individuals to pay tribute to our heroes as well as own a piece of history. The patriotic shadowbox sets are available for purchase by visiting http://www.productsforgood.com/ or by calling 1-877-444-4051.

About Operation Family Fund (OFF)

OFF provides for the Families of those who have been killed or severely disabled as part of the Global War on Terror. The fund's CEO, Mike Cash, has been with the Department of Defense for 25 years, and started the fund to assist families dealing with a loss from the Global War on Terror. Operation Family Fund is a IRS 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation. support@oeffamilyfund.org

About Cleveland Vocational Industries

The mission of Cleveland Vocational is to provide employment and training opportunities for adults who have barriers to employment. A barrier is defined as anything that limits a person's ability to obtain and maintain employment. Cleveland Vocational Industries, Inc. is a private 501 (C) 3 tax-exempt corporation. Visit http://www.cvii.org