Employees at Counselor Top 40 supplier SnugZ USA (asi/88060) laced up their sneakers and carried American flags while running, jogging or walking their way through the annual Wounded Warrior Project Carry Forward 5K, held on Veterans Day. The event raised more than $17,000 to help military veterans and members in need.

SnugZ USA (asi/88060) employees, former employees, families, pets and distributor and business service partners participated in the Wounded Warrior Project’s Carry Forward 5K.

Each year, SnugZ employees, former employees, families and pets, as well as distributor and business service partners, contribute to the nationwide event, with 100% of funds raised going to support the Wounded Warrior Project’s programs and services in mental health, physical health, financial wellness and long-term rehabilitative care.

“Carry Forward 2024 was a huge success,” said Brandon Brown, vice president of marketing at SnugZ and a combat veteran. “When we rally together for injured veterans, we help ensure they get the help they need – and deserve.”

Thanks to support from companies like SnugZ, veterans and their families “never pay a penny for our programs and services,” said Brea Kratzert Todd, vice president of business development for the Wounded Warrior Project.

In addition to donations from SnugZ employees, outside support for the fundraising 5K came from Fidelity, which matched $2,000 of employee donations. Facilisgroup, a software provider and distributor-partnering company in the promo space, raised $1,500 for the cause by providing raffle baskets and participating in the race itself.

In addition to the Carry Forward donations, SnugZ also supports the Wounded Warrior Project by donating 1% of its Basecamp sales – with a minimum of $100,000 per calendar year – to the nonprofit. The supplier said it will continue to gather those donations through the end of the year, presenting a final check to the nonprofit in January. In January 2024, SnugZ gave $107,329 to the Wounded Warrior Project and said it has provided more than $600,000 to the nonprofit since 2021.

Based on reported 2023 North American promotional product revenue of $103.2 million, SnugZ USA ranked 18th on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest suppliers in the industry. Founded in 1989, SnugZ USA has more than 1,000 employees and specializes in product categories that include lanyards, health/beauty, drinkware and corporate gifts.

The Wounded Warrior Project helps veterans and service members who served in the military on or after Sept. 11, 2001, and incurred a physical or mental injury, illness or wound during or after service. The organization provides programs in mental health, career counseling and long-term rehabilitative care. It also engages in advocacy on behalf of warriors and their families.