CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — November 29, 2007 — Crutchfield, the nation's largest direct integrated marketer of consumer electronics, today announced its 5th Annual Operation Bravo to bring holiday cheer to American troops stationed and deployed in combat overseas. Operation BRAVO, an acronym for Bringing Relief And Video Overseas, is a Crutchfield-led community drive that collects DVDs (used and new), personal DVD players and MP3 players for the individuals working hard on the front lines to defend our nation's interests.
Crutchfield started the donation program five years ago when a Crutchfield employee, also an Army Reservist, was called up for active duty and deployed to Baghdad. The company has renewed its commitment each year as part of its ongoing efforts to maintain close and active ties to its customers and the community.
This year, Crutchfield has already collected hundreds of personal DVD and MP3 players for donation to our soldiers. Generous donations have come from Crutchfield partners Toshiba (who donated 200 portable DVD players) and Samsung (who donated 350 MP3 players), in addition to personal donations from Crutchfield employees and the local community. Additional donations of personal DVD players and MP3 players (in good and working order) will be accepted through December 11 at their Charlottesville and Harrisonburg retail store locations.
To complement Crutchfield's efforts, SNL Financial will donate hundreds of DVDs by holding an employee baking fundraiser on December 3rd. The bake-off will take place at the SNL Financial building in downtown Charlottesville at the corner of Market Street and 7th Street N.E. from 12-2:30pm. Barista On Demand will be serving coffee.
Distribution of the electronics is closely coordinated with the appropriate military command to ensure that they go to military personnel that are deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, directly in harm's way. When possible, Crutchfield attempts to ship the gifts directly to individual soldiers, by name, in an attempt to deliver a personalized message of gratitude and support during the holidays.
"This is a program that we are particularly pleased to be renewing," said Bill Crutchfield, founder, CEO and United States military veteran. "Especially during the holidays, it is important that we remember and support the brave men and women of our Armed Forces." Each year, military officials confirm that receipt of the DVDs and players lifts morale, and improves motivation - each of which have a direct impact on improving the safety of the troops.
About Crutchfield Corporation
Crutchfield Corporation, which will celebrate its 34th anniversary in 2008, is the nation's first direct integrated marketer (catalog, call center, and Internet) of consumer electronics products. Since its introduction in 1974, the Crutchfield catalog has been a respected authority on car and home entertainment products, winning several awards for quality, design, and usefulness. Crutchfield's Sales and Technical Advisors, the core of Crutchfield's commitment to superior customer service, are noted for their high integrity, product expertise, and technical support. They are available by phone, e-mail, and live online chat. Crutchfield.com offers a convenient, full-service shopping destination to buyers of car and home audio/video products. CrutchfieldAdvisor.com is an all-information website that serves as a single comprehensive source about consumer electronics. Crutchfield was the first vendor-authorized audio/video retailer on the Internet and is one of only two retailers to have won BizRate's coveted "Circle of Excellence" award eight times.
About SNL Financial
SNL collects, standardizes and disseminates all relevant corporate, financial, market and M&A data — plus news and analysis – for the Energy, Banking, Specialized Financial Services, Insurance, Real Estate and Media & Communications industries. For more information, visit www.SNL.com.
For more information, press only:
Bridgette King/Crutchfield Public Relations
Tel: 954.937.9616
bridgette@getthescoop.com
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