Success Story

IAVA Partners with JCPenney, Joseph Abboud for "Combat to Career"
December 9 2010

On December 7th, IAVA, Joseph Abboud and JCPenney joined forces to assemble “Combat to Career” care packages as an extension of the “Welcome Home Joe – Thanks a Million” campaign. As many Iraq and Afghanistan veterans make the transition out of the military and into the civilian work place, they face a staggering 11.2% unemployment rate and one of the toughest economies in decades.

"Combat to Career" with IAVA, JCPenney and Joseph Abboud

Attended the event? Click here to download photos.

The “Combat to Career” event paired popular football players Matt Dodge, Deon Grant, Kevin Boss, Terrell Thomas, Bear Pascoe, Shaun O’Hara, Cory Webster, and Antrel Rolle with IAVA member veterans Matt Colvin, Florian Mihai, Jon Robinson, and Tireak Tulloch to fill packages with items useful for job interviews and new careers. These IAVA members were featured in all marketing materials for “Welcome Home Joe.” All packages will be distributed to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans through IAVA’s The Rucksack.

More than 200 JCPenney customers and football fans participated by helping to fill the bags and write notes of thanks. Customers were also invited to get their photos taken at a special photo booth and to participate in raffle drawings for $200 JCPenney gift certificates and a football autographed by all players.

In partnership with JCPenney and Joseph Abboud, IAVA launched “Welcome Home Joe – Thanks a Million” on October 8, 2010. This national campaign distributed $1 million in certificates to 5,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans for JOE Joseph Abboud merchandise, a line of contemporary menswear and accessories available exclusively at JCPenney. Female veterans were able to request $200 certificates for apparel from Worthington, also redeemable at JCPenney. All certificates were distributed through IAVA’s Rucksack, which is open to all member veterans of IAVA.

Media Highlights

• NJ.com: Giants Center Shaun O'Hara joined fellow teammates on their day off for "Combat to Career" event.
• Pro Football NYC: Giants lend a hand for returning vets.
• Football Reports Online: New York Giants players comment on "Combat to Career"
• OK Magazine: JOE Joseph Abboud joins partners JCPenney, IAVA and the New York Giants for benefit event.
• Three65to30: IAVA volunteer Matt Colvin on "Combat to Career."

Get Involved

Want to get involved with IAVA and join us at future events like this in your area? Sign up to become an IAVA Member Veteran or Supporter today.

• OIF/OEF veteran? Become an IAVA Member Veteran and get access to exclusive events, gives and more through IAVA's Rucksack.
• Not an OIF/OEF veteran? Become an IAVA Supporter and show our nation's newest veterans you've got their back.