Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors helps friends and families of fallen military members
OSHKOSH, Wis. (Oct. 23, 2012) — Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), presented the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) with a $100,000 contribution today at AUSA 2012. The contribution was raised through a signature campaign that began last year and gathered signatures at various nationwide events. Oshkosh pledged to donate $2 for each signature until reaching its goal of $100,000. Oshkosh also announced it would be continuing its support for TAPS with a follow-on signature campaign for 2013.
TAPS provides free-of-charge tragedy assistance to anyone who has suffered the loss of a military loved one. Founded in 1994, the program has assisted more than 35,000 surviving family members and friends through comprehensive services and programs, including case work assistance, emotional support, and grief and trauma resources.
“We are proud to be making this contribution to TAPS and starting a new signature campaign to help raise awareness for the commendable work this organization is doing,” said John Urias, executive vice president of Oshkosh Corporation and president of Oshkosh Defense. “Losing a friend or family member in service can take a devastating toll. TAPS offers important emotional and physical support to help get people through these extremely difficult periods.”
TAPS has held an annual National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief camp since 1994, with regional Survivor Seminars and Good Grief camps held at locations across the country. The organization also encourages connections to local communities through community-based care.
“Oshkosh Defense has been a supporter of military members and military families for years, and we are grateful for its support,” said TAPS founder and President Bonnie Carroll. “This contribution will support our efforts to provide the ‘help, hope and healing’ that our military families need and deserve after losing a loved one in uniform.”
Oshkosh kicked off its 2013 signature campaign in support of TAPS at the show, donating $2 for every name signed to the Signature Wall at its booth #1713 toward its goal of up to $100,000. Oshkosh is also adding a new twist to the campaign this year, donating $2 up to the $100,000 goal for each new “Like” on the Supporting Families of Our Fallen Heroes Facebook page. Facebook users’ information will not be shared, sold, traded or rented to any third party by Oshkosh and the company will exercise reasonable efforts to keep the information secure.
Oshkosh Defense has a long-standing history of supporting military members, both in the field and back at home, and their families through charitable giving and program support. The company has partnered with organizations such as USO, the Fisher House Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, Our Military Kids and others. Oshkosh actively recruits and employs a high ratio of veterans who are advancing their civilian careers and employs more than 300 guard, reserve and retired military members.
About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. The Oshkosh brands are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, visit www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
About Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, visit www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
®, TM All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.
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