KISS, Mötley Crüe, Announce $250,000 Donation to National Chamber Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes Program

BRISTOW, VA—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced that rock bands KISS and Mötley Crüe are donating $250,000 to the National Chamber Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program. The band members from KISS and Mötley Crüe presented a check to Hiring Our Heroes at the kickoff of THE TOUR of 2012 in Bristow, VA.

“We are grateful and excited about the generous gift from KISS, and Mötley Crüe,” said Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Schmiegel (Ret.), executive director of the U.S. Chamber’s Hiring Our Heroes program. “This donation will allow us to hold hiring fairs around the country, as well as refine them to offer transition assistance workshops, ultimately helping us make even a greater difference on the critical issue of veteran and military spouse unemployment.”

The relationship with Hiring Our Heroes began when KISS and Mötley Crüe pledged to hire a veteran as a roadie as part of the National Chamber Foundation and Capital One’s “Hiring 500,000 Heroes” campaign. Army veteran and longtime KISS fan Paul Jordan was selected after a review of 1,900 applications received by Hiring Our Heroes.  Jordan, who is from Buford, Georgia, served three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. The goal of the initiative is to engage the business community in committing to hire half a million veterans and military spouses by the end of 2014. 

In March 2011, the Chamber, in conjunction with the National Chamber Foundation, launched its Hiring Our Heroes program, a nationwide effort to help veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment. The Chamber started the program to improve public-private sector coordination in local communities, where veterans and their families are returning every day. To date, Hiring Our Heroes has hosted more than 220 hiring fairs in 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, helping more than 10,400 veterans and military spouses find employment.

Comments

[Rock-It]

I was lucky enough to get an invite to this special show on Thursday,the day prior to the official beginning of the tour. It was great that KISS invited about 1500 hundred current military, retired military, and a few friends out to witness a "dress rehearsal". It's a good thing they did as the show itself had a few little problems which were, for the most part, all worked out for the Friday night show.

Motley Crue did not play on Thursday night but they were there to help present the check along with KISS. Tommy Lee did give one luck member of the military a chance to ride with him on his "roller coaster" drum kit the next night at the tour kick off gig.

I'm so grateful I had the chance to go to this military benefit. It was great to see all the military and their families having such a great time.

Being in the front both night enabled me to get some great pictures. I hope to put them up online within the next few days.

[Ace Steele]

I do want to hand it to KISS. When it comes to supporting our military, they not only talk the talk, they walk the walk & back it up! And more importantly, they write a check for large amounts to back it up.

[Metalboy!]

Hear, hear! And I feel KISS and Crüe would still contribute to help our military regardless of whether we wasted blood on senseless wars or not.

[strutter]

It's a shame that the troops need financial support.... Thanks to our goverments (in de uas well in europe)