Call of Duty Endowment Announces $250,000 Grant to Benefit National Chamber
Foundation's 'Hiring our Heroes' Veteran Employment Program
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an
effort to ensure our military heroes have stable employment upon
their return from active duty, Activision Publishing, Inc., a
wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq:
ATVI), and publisher of the best-selling Call of Duty® video game
franchise, announced on Veterans Day
that it will donate $3 million to the
Call of Duty Endowment, a non-profit, public benefit corporation
that seeks to provide job placement and training for veterans.
The Call of Duty Endowment was conceived by Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, in
November of 2009 in an effort to raise awareness for veterans'
unemployment. Since that time, the Endowment has provided more than
$1.5 million in grants and
scholarships to many organizations and colleges throughout
the United States. These funds
have contributed to more than 700 veteran jobs, more than 2,500
veterans receiving job training, and more than 30 receiving
scholarships.
"The fact that over 20 percent of our nation's youngest veterans
are unemployed is unacceptable," said Kotick. "These are the very
same men and women who put their lives on the line to guarantee our
freedom and security. Veterans Day is
a time to reflect and renew our commitment to ensure our military
heroes have the tools to reintegrate successfully back to civilian
life. The Call of Duty Endowment is dedicated to the mission of
bringing attention to veterans' unemployment and finding a solution
to this serious issue. We hope that other businesses and
organizations will join us."
Separately, the Call of Duty Endowment today announced that it
is providing a $250,000 grant to the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce's National Chamber Foundation. The
grant will support the Chamber's Hiring our Heroes program
and allow the National Chamber Foundation to host hiring fairs in
25 cities nationwide in 2012, which is expected to result in at
least 3,500 jobs for veterans.
"The National Chamber Foundation is committed to the issue of
helping veterans find meaningful employment," said Kevin Schmiegel, Vice President of the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce Veterans Employment Program. "Since we launched
the Hiring our Heroes program in March of 2011, the Chamber
has conducted 63 hiring fairs and connected over 55,000 veterans
and military spouses with over 2,500 different employers in 37
states. To date, more than 3,400 veterans and spouses are employed
as a result. The grant from the Call of Duty Endowment will allow
us to greatly expand our efforts in 2012—we thank them for their
support."
The National Chamber Foundation grant is part of $500,000 in grants made by the Call of Duty
Endowment in the fall of 2011. Other beneficiary
organizations include Still Serving Veterans (SSV), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
(IAVA) and Business and Professional Women's Foundation (BPWF).
About the Call of Duty Endowment:
The Call of Duty Endowment is a non-profit, public benefit
corporation conceived by Bobby
Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard. The organization seeks
to help soldiers that provide job placement and training. For more
information about the Call of Duty Endowment, please visit
www.callofdutyendowment.org.
About Activision Blizzard
Headquartered in Santa Monica,
California, Activision Blizzard, Inc. is a worldwide online,
PC and console game publisher with leading market positions across
every major category of the rapidly growing interactive
entertainment software industry.
Activision Blizzard maintains operations in the U.S.,
Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the
Netherlands, Australia,
China, South Korea and the region of Taiwan.
More information about Activision Blizzard and its products can be
found on the company's website, www.activisionblizzard.com.
About Activision Publishing, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica,
California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading
worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive
entertainment and leisure products.
Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United
Kingdom, France,
Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the
Netherlands, Australia,
South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and
its products can be found on the company's website,
www.activision.com.
ACTIVISION and CALL OF DUTY are registered trademarks of
Activision Publishing, Inc.
SOURCE Call of Duty Endowment