GOFFSTOWN, NH - With unemployment rates for Iraq and Afghanistan military veterans significantly higher than the national average, one U.S. military veteran is making it his personal mission to give back to his comrades.
Starting April 4, 2011, Jack Child, the founder of YELLOW DAWG STRIPING, a leading pavement marking franchise, will launch a social media Facebook campaign - Operation Stripes for Veterans - that will offer one honorably discharged U.S. military Iraq or Afghanistan veteran the chance to become a small-business owner of a YELLOW DAWG STRIPING franchise. YELLOW DAWG STRIPING works with businesses to create clean, crisp lines and traffic markings to enhance safety, comply with laws and make parking lots more attractive.
"As a U.S. military veteran myself, I understand firsthand the hardships and challenges veterans can face as they transition into civilian life," said Child, a former Army soldier and Air Force pilot. "We hope to relieve the burden of transition for at least one returning serviceman (or woman) and feel that it is equally as important to bring awareness to the high rate of unemployment among the Iraq/Afghanistan veterans in our country. It is the least we can do as a franchise system to show our troops the support they deserve."
The Facebook promotion allows honorably discharged Iraq and Afghanistan U.S. military veterans to upload photos, text and/or video testimonials to the YELLOW DAWG STRIPING Facebook fan page explaining why they want to become a small-business owner. Each contestant is encouraged to share his or her video with friends and family on the social media platform to obtain as many 'Like' votes by May 20, 2011, Armed Forces Day. The top 10 videos with the most 'Like' votes will be reviewed and considered by a panel of seven judges, and the winner will be announced on Memorial Day, May 30, 2011.
In addition to waiving the $7,500 franchise fee, YELLOW DAWG STRIPING will provide a customized enclosed equipment trailer worth $5,500, hands-on training, business support systems and miscellaneous tools and uniforms. Several select vendors have also donated to the giveaway. GRACO has donated a LineLazer IV 3900, state-of-the-art line striping machine worth $8,640. The Sherwin-Williams Company has donated premium traffic paint valued at $2,100. Dan Zurcher, a pavement marking industry expert and author, has provided a stencil starter kit valued at $1,500. And, Cygnus Business Media is granting two exposition packages to the 2012 National Pavement Expo in Memphis, Tennessee, worth $1,250. The total retail value of the giveaway exceeds $28,000 in value.
"Our vendors have been highly supportive of our franchise giveaway campaign and we couldn't thank them more for their kind contributions," added Child. "Without them, we wouldn't be able to give away the YELLOW DAWG STRIPING franchise opportunity."
Panel representatives include Child and his business partner, Brian Hayes, Dan Zurcher, Allan Heydorn, Editor of Pavement Magazine, representatives of the Sherwin-Williams company and Graco, and Mark Murphy, an Army veteran and owner of Southern New Hampshire's YELLOW DAWG STRIPING franchise, who is also a YELLOW DAWG instructor.
For more information on YELLOW DAWG STRIPING visit www.YellowDawgStriping.com. For franchise opportunities please visit: www.FranchiseDawg.com or call 1-800-998-DAWG (3294). For the Facebook contest visit: www.Facebook.com/YellowDawgStriping.
