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

Hi Everyone,

My mom Patti Patton Bader founder of Soldiers' Angels is up for consideration for NBC's America's Favorite Military Mom on Monday (May 5th). You can help her, Soldiers, Angels, and me, by voting for her at http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Favorite_Mom/ - You can only vote Monday May 5th from 9 AM to 9 PM Eastern ST but you can vote up to 10 times (on the 5th) for each valid email address you have.

If she wins Soldiers' Angels will get more exposure on a National T.V. show on May 11. This exposure helps us show our troops in a real way that they are strongly supported by us at home, and also helps to provide awareness and needed donations so that we can continue to meet the needs of our heroes.

Also, if you get a chance, my mom will be on NBC's The Today Show during the 9 A.M. hour [o n Monday, May 5th]. As you all know Soldiers' Angels is a wonderful organization of volunteers that does a lot of great support for all the men and women of the military, aids our troops wherever we raise the Stars and Stripes, helps wounded heroes here and abroad, and assists military families in times of need.

Please help us by voting for my mom Monday and maybe passing on this email to a few of your friends. It's for a good cause and only takes a moment. Here's the link again.

http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Favorite_Mom/

Thank you and God Bless everyone who helps our troops,

SSGT Brandon H. Varn

Labels: Patti Patton-Bader, Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops

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

Soldiers' Angels is recruiting all members and friends to go to America's Favorite Mom contest and vote for Patti Patton Bader. Registered members may vote once a day in the Most Inspiring Mom online contest. This contest ends March 31, 2008.




Why is it so important for Patti Patton Bader to win? The obvious reason is, she deserves it. The secondary reason is the funds go to the favorite charity of the winner, ah you guessed it, Soldiers' Angels! Also, it provides another level of public awareness for Soldiers' Angels in drawing the attention of more angels and donors.

Don’t delay, sign up and VOTE FOR PATTI! Soldiers' Angels is now 200,000 angels strong globally and celebrates its' 5th anniversary in the month of March. What a great gift this would be.

Soldiers' Angels (http://www.soldiersangels.org/) was started by a self-described "ordinary mother" of an ordinary young man turned hero, Sgt. Brandon Varn. Brandon was deployed in Iraq and has since honorably completed his mission and has returned back to his proud and loving family.

In the summer of 2003, he wrote home expressing his concern that some soldiers did not receive any mail or support from home. Being a caring and loving mother, she decided not to allow a situation like that to continue. She contacted a few friends and extended family to ask if they would write to a soldier or two. Within a few short months, Soldiers' Angels went from a mother writing a few extra letters to an Internet Community with thousands of angels worldwide.

With more and more merchants donating services, money and items for packages, the Angels reorganized as a 501 ( c) (3) non-profit so all donations would be tax deductible. Soldiers' Angels currently supports tens of thousands of American Service Members stationed wherever we raise our nation's flag, and that number continues to grow daily. Soldiers' Angels are dedicated in supporting our military during and after their deployment.

Now this ordinary mother's youngest son, Bretton Varn, is serving his country in Iraq as he continues his family's legacy of bravery, honor and commitment. As with all of our brave men and women in the United States Armed Forces, our thoughts and prayers are with Brett and his family as he begins his tour in service to his nation.

Patti Patton-Bader is an amazing woman who dedicates so much to our Hereos.

Please take a moment to vote for her.

Labels: Patti Patton-Bader, Soldiers' Angels