February 2, 2010
Southwest Dairy Farmers and Dairy MAX have joined forces to send U.S. military servicemen and women a little slice of home just in time to celebrate the Super Bowl.

'Pizzas 4 Patriots' is a collaboration of U.S. dairy producers, two Chicago-based pizzerias, and DHL Global. The organization will deliver enough Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza and Stuffed Pizza to feed 30,000 servicemen and women, along with a supply of Athletes Honey Milk and 500 footballs.

Dairy producers from Southwest Dairy Farmers and Dairy MAX, two independent dairy alliances that collectively represent Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Montana, donated the products as a way to show their support for U.S. troops and to provide some healthy benefits of milk and dairy-related foods. Much of what makes up a traditional pizza is made from dairy products, and Athletes Honey Milk is a high protein, high calcium, low-fat, lactose-free nutritional supplement enhanced with honey and made with 100% milk. DHL, one the world's largest express delivery and logistics companies, has donated all of its transportation services in support of the initiative.

"Dairy farmers have a long-standing tradition of supporting so many good causes in our nation, so it's just a natural extension for us to honor the service and sacrifice of America's soldiers," said Ken Miller, a Sulphur Springs, Texas-based dairy producer and himself a U.S. veteran. "We are proud to show our appreciation to military service personnel during a time that is so uniquely 'America'- the Super Bowl."

The delivery will leave Chicago on January 29, headed for several bases throughout Iraq. The pizzas and Athletes Honey Milk will arrive in time for Super Bowl Sunday.

The idea for Pizza 4 Patriots was sparked in the summer of 2009, when 15 year-old Kent Evans of Elk Grove Village, Ill., asked his father, retired Air Force Master Sergeant Mark Evans, if they could send pizzas to U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq. Kent's wish became reality through Pizzas 4 Patriots when servicemen and women at Camp Victory in Baghdad enjoyed a Fourth of July pizza party in that year. The Evans continue to help manage the annual effort.

Pizzas 4 Patriots is now in its second year of showing support for the troops. "Support from others, such as America's dairy farmers, allows us to achieve our mission," Evans said. "We're able to make a positive difference in the lives of our servicemen and women, both those presently serving as well as our wounded veterans."