SOLDIERS’ ANGELS FOUNDER WINS!
Patti Patton-Bader Named “America’s Favorite Mom”

PASADENA, CA May 11, 2008 –Soldiers’ Angels founder Patti Patton-Bader was named “America’s Favorite Mom” in a primetime television show Sunday night on NBC. Sponsored by Teleflora and hosted by Donny and Marie Osmond, the show highlighted fifteen outstanding mothers who had distinguished themselves in categories ranging from Working Moms to Military Moms and “Non-Mom” Moms.

Humbled by the honor, Patton-Bader is thrilled to be able to use it to continue the Soldiers’ Angels mission of “May No Soldier Go Unloved.” As the grand prize winner, she will receive $250,000, a set of household appliances, and other valuable items. Patton-Bader hopes to apply the winnings to her plans for a small ranch that will allow newly returned soldiers to relax with their families after deployments.

“I really am lucky to know so many heroes in my life,” said Patton-Bader, who herself has two sons in the Army, one currently deployed to Iraq. “Whether they are the troops who serve our country or the amazing mothers here on this America’s Favorite Mom program, I am honored to be in the presence of such inspirational people and also am humbled to know that America thinks the same of me.”

Patton-Bader is also excited about the opportunities this platform gives her to help people learn more about America’s military heroes and options for supporting them and their families. The attention she has received through the America’s Favorite Mom events has already drawn a number of new volunteers who want to use their talents and connections to help support the troops.

In a nationwide online poll last March, Patton-Bader was voted “America’s Most Inspirational Mom” after having been nominated by her eldest son for founding and leading Soldiers’ Angels. On May 5 she appeared on the Today show as one of three selected finalists in the “Favorite Military Mom” category. A nationwide online poll was again conducted, and the results were announced on May 11, with Patton-Bader being named winner in both the “Favorite Military Mom” and “America’s Favorite Mom” categories. More information is available at http://www.americasfavoritemom.com/.

Soldiers’ Angels is a grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit comprised of around 200,000 volunteers in over twenty different teams and programs with unique and effective ways to support members of the U.S. military. Soldiers’ Angels operates internationally to provide letters, care packages, and comfort items to the deployed, and support for their families at home. They also provide assistance to the wounded, continuing support for veterans, remembrances and comfort for families of the fallen, and immediate response to unique difficulties. For more information, see http://www.soldiersangels.org/ or call (615) 676-0239.

America's Favorite Mom was presented by NBC Television and Teleflora, America's leading source of hand-arranged floral bouquets, plants, and gift baskets. For more information, see http://www.americasfavoritemom.com/.

Labels: America's Favorite Mom, Patti Patton-Bader, Soldiers' Angels

That's right - Patti is now officially America's Most Inspiring Mom. Those of us who know her would most definitely agree. Patti has boundless energy and enthusiasm; the kind that just sweeps you along with her.

Ask anyone who leads one of Soldiers' Angels Special Projects how they got started, and the most likely answer is going to be "Patti called me...."

And I can vouch for that - from this blog to the SOS: KIDS program and Operation Outreach (and a few other things along the way), it was Patti that led to my involvement. Five minutes in her presence and you feel like you can conquer the world - and that nothing is impossible when it comes to supporting our Heroes.

From the days of sending a few extra letters and packages to her son Brandon's buddies, that dedication and enthusiasm has seen Soldiers' Angels grow to a network of tens of thousands of Angels supporting tens of thousands of Heroes. Not bad for someone who describes herself as the "ordinary mother of an ordinary young man turned hero."

But that contest isn't over yet...

The designation of America's Most Inspiring Mom is only a step along the way to the grand prize of "America's Favorite Mom." True to form, Patti is donating any prize money won in this contest to Soldiers' Angels. Top prize is $25,000. Just imagine what that can do for our heroes.... To put it in perspective, here are some examples of what SA could do with $25,000:

- 450 First Response Backpacks for the wounded

- 550 Vet Packs to VA Hospitals

- 800 Welcome Home packages to returning Heroes

- Nearly 1200 care packages to deployed troops

- 40 Laptops with Voice-activated software to wounded Heroes

Voting for the contest ends April 25th, so don't wait - vote now, and go back every day until then - you can vote once daily. You have to register to vote in the contest (which is free, and takes only a minute or so).

So vote now, vote often, and help us honor Patti for all that she does to inspire us, and support our Heroes.

Click Here to Vote!

Labels: America's Favorite Mom, Patti Patton-Bader, Soldiers' Angels