As part of its second-quarter grants, the philanthropic arm of Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co., The Coca-Cola Foundation, awarded $1.25 million to the United Services Organization’s (USO) Operation Enduring Care program. During the next five years, the grant will fund ongoing programming focused on three areas for wounded U.S. warriors: physical health and recreation; mental health and family strengthening; and education, employment and community integration. The foundation also awarded $1.6 million to support fitness and healthy living programs in local communities in the United States.
“One of our foundation’s priorities is to build sustainable communities by encouraging individuals, families and communities to live active, healthy lifestyles,” said Lori George Billingsley, vice president of community relations for Coca-Cola Refreshments, in a statement. “We support invaluable organizations that provide access to exercise, physical activity and nutritional education programs. Through our grant to the USO, we continue to expand our long-standing support of America’s heroes and their families.”
Other organizations receiving grants in the United States include: the American Diabetes Association, the American Dietetic Association Foundation, America’s State Parks Foundation, The Armory Foundation, Big Sur International Marathon, CAN DO Houston, the Children’s Medical Center Foundation, Good Sports, the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, the Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention, the National Black Nurses Association, Portland After School Tennis & Education Inc., the Put Your Dukes Up Foundation Inc., Share Our Strength, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of South Carolina Educational Foundation, Vive en Forma and the YMCA of Greater New York.