WASHINGTON & DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With funding from SKYDEX Technologies, the Washington Capitals have launched the 2012-2013 Courage Caps campaign to benefit the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a nonprofit organization that provides comfort and care for anyone grieving the death of someone who died while serving in the U.S. military.
All funds raised through the sale of Capitals team-issued Courage Caps and T-Shirts will provide peer-based emotional support, regional seminars for adults, grief camps for children, case work assistance, grief and trauma resources and a 24/7 resource and information helpline for bereaved military families.
“TAPS is an invaluable resource for those our fallen heroes leave behind,” said SKYDEX CEO Frank Mendicino. “We are proud to be partnering with the Washington Capitals for the second year in a row to raise money to help TAPS provide survivors with vital services. Our mission at SKYDEX is to provide products that will protect American troops and save lives. TAPS’ mission is to help loved ones whose lives are shattered when a warrior makes the ultimate sacrifice. There is no more honorable or more important work.”
During the 2011-2012 National Hockey League season, the SKYDEX-sponsored Courage Caps campaign sold nearly 2,500 hats and 2,000 T-shirts, raising a record $105,700 for TAPS. Since the Capitals launched the initiative in 2007, the Courage Caps campaign has raised a total of nearly $322,000 for various military-related charities.
“SKYDEX is happy to sponsor Washington Capitals programs, because the Caps do so much for our men and women in uniform,” Mendicino said. SKYDEX also sponsors the NHL team’s Tickets for Troops program, sending 100 servicemen and women to Capitals home games this season.
To launch the 2012-13 campaign, Washington Capitals’ American-born players John Carlson, Joey Crabb, Matt Hendricks and Jack Hillen hosted more than 150 children and adults assisted by TAPS for a skating party at the Caps’ practice facility on March 3. Sales formally got underway during the Caps’ home game against the New York Rangers on March 10.
Courage Caps and Courage T-shirts are on sale for $20 online at WashingtonCaps.com, at the Washington Capitals Team Store at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, VA and at the Team Store and at stands throughout Washington, D.C.’s Verizon Center during Capitals home games. There will also be a limited number of autographed Courage Caps and T-shirts available for sale at WashingtonCaps.com and at the community relations table located behind section 103/104 on the main concourse at Verizon Center.
For $60, fans can purchase a Courage Cap or T-shirt signed by Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green or Alex Ovechkin. For $40 fans can purchase a Courage Cap or T-shirt signed by any other individual Capitals player. Fans will be able to order hats or T-shirts signed by any rostered player online.
TAPS is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America's fallen military heroes. TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, seminars for adults, good grief camps for children, case work assistance and a 24/7 resource helpline for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces, regardless of the location of the death or the circumstances of the death. Services are provided free of charge. For more information about TAPS, visit www.taps.org or call the toll-free help line at 1.800.959.TAPS (8277).
About SKYDEX
SKYDEX, a privately held technology company with headquarters in Denver, is the industry leader in developing protective materials that mitigate shock, vibration and energy forces for the most demanding military and commercial uses. Its innovations include blast-mitigating flooring for combat vehicles, padding for military helmets, vibration-attenuating seating for both ground vehicles and helicopters, and shock-absorbing decking for high-speed interceptor boats. SKYDEX clients are government and commercial entities that value the increased survivability and reduced impact that SKYDEX technology provides to their most important assets – the human operator. Inspired by its motto – “Protecting Things That Matter” – SKYDEX utilizes its patented twin-hemisphere plastics technology to design and manufacture a wide range of products and is a leading supplier to armed forces around the world. For more information, please visit www.skydex.com or view the SKYDEX online press kit here.