A&W Restaurant employees getting ready for National Root Beer Float Day are, from left, Mariah Williams, Demetria Jones, Alyssia Caldwell and Bud Power, restaurant operator.

Donations to benefit Wounded Warrior Project

    A&W Restaurants will be celebrate National Root Beer Float Day today by giving away root beer floats.

    Guests are encouraged to make a donation to Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to supporting military service members as they heal from the effects of battle.

    “Our founder, Roy Allen, began making root beer to welcome home returning soldiers from World War I,” said Kevin Bazner, CEO of A&W Restaurants. “Our commitment to our returning servicemen and women remains high, and I look forward to presenting an even larger donation this year to Wounded Warrior Project after celebrating the tastiest and most refreshing day of the summer.”

    With smooth vanilla ice cream and tasty, foamy root beer, the root beer float is an all-American classic. Beginning in 1880, root beer was manufactured and sold, and almost 13 years later, the root beer float was invented. Once called a black cow, Frank Wisner of Colorado invented the float when he was inspired to add a scoop of ice cream to his glass of root beer.

    Visit A&W of Meridian, the only A&W in the state of Mississippi, at 1601 South Frontage Road next to the Red Hot sign between 2 p.m. and closing time to receive one small root beer float free of charge. In return, guests are encouraged to make a donation to Wounded Warrior Project. Donors will be able to give directly at the restaurant or online at www.rootbeerfloatday.com.

    “We are excited for this year’s Root Beer Float Day and to donate much needed funds to the Wounded Warrior Project,” said Bud Power, operator of A&W of Meridian. “Last year was very successful, and we raised more than $300 for the Wounded Warrior Project. We hope to exceed that amount this year with National Root Beer Float Day by raising money for a wonderful cause.”

    More than 50,000 servicemen and women have been injured in America’s recent military conflicts, a company press release states.

    “In addition to physical wounds, it is estimated as many as 400,000 service members live with the invisible wounds of war including combat-related stress, major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder,” according to the press release. “Another 320,000 are believed to have experienced a traumatic brain injury while on deployment. Wounded Warrior Project’s programs and services are uniquely structured to nurture the mind and body, and encourage economic empowerment and engagement.”

    “When you support the Wounded Warrior Project, you’re not just supporting a program,” said Nicky Norwood, a soldier benefitting from the Wounded Warrior Project. “You’re saving lives, changing lives, and improving lives. The emotional pain of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is like a roller coaster that never ends. I want to help other warriors avoid that nightmarish ride. Before WWP, it wasn’t possible. Now, warriors and their families can conquer challenges once deemed impossible.”

    The mission of Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Wounded Warrior Project’s purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. To get involved in the Wounded Warrior Project, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

    For more details on National Root Beer Float Day, please visit online at www.rootbeerfloatday.com.