DMS Completes Mission To Race Across Florida And Raise $50,000 For Gary Sinise Foundation
DMS CEO Boosts Commitment To Veterans And Pledges To Hire At Least 15% Of Its Workforce From The Military Community By 2020
Clearwater, FL – May 22, 2019 – Digital Media Solutions (DMS) is proud to announce it completed the 219.2 mile course to raise awareness and donations to honor first responders and veterans via the Gary Sinise Foundation. Thanks to the DMS Heroes & Legends Ultramarathon initiative, the Gary Sinise Foundation received $50,000. DMS also pledged to hire at least 15% of its new workforce from members of the military community, including veterans or military spouses, by 2020. In March, nearly 20 employees from across the country, including DMS CEO Joe Marinucci, completed the longest ultramarathon race across the state of Florida benefitting veterans and first responders. Many of the employees that volunteered to run in the relay-style race had a personal connection to veterans and first responders.
“I’m incredibly proud of the determination and dedication our employees showed during the DMS Heroes & Legends Ultramarathon experience,” said Joe Marinucci, CEO of Digital Media Solutions. “Team DMS fully embraced our company’s commitment, showing support for the military community through their grit, guts and generosity over the course of that 219.2 mile run. While we can never do enough to repay what these heroes have sacrificed, DMS will continue to show gratitude via support of organizations like the Gary Sinise Foundation that honor our defenders and the families that stand by their side.”
When crisis occurs, firefighters, police and EMTs put their own lives at risk to save others. It’s a perilous job, and oftentimes first responders must perform with limited resources. Sometimes they are injured or killed in the line of duty. The money raised will be allocated to two separate programs under the Gary Sinise Foundation. It’s First Responders Outreach which provide critical funding for emergency relief, training, and essential equipment to ensure these heroes perform to the best of their abilities, and the R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment) programs, which builds 100% mortgage-free, specially adapted smart homes for severely injured heroes. Additionally, the program provides wounded defenders with home modifications and mobility devices to restore their much-deserved independence.
“We are honored to be the recipient of the funds DMS and its employees have raised,” said Elizabeth Fields, COO of Gary Sinise Foundation. “Our Foundation is committed to supporting and raising awareness for our troops and first responders, and it’s the generosity of individuals like the team at DMS who help make our mission a success.”
As a former first responder raised in a family rooted in the armed forces, Marinucci understands the value of investing in those that serve our communities. “With our new commitment to increase military hires at DMS, those individuals can translate their valuable experiences from the armed forces to our performance-driven workforce. We are proud to welcome more members of the military to Team DMS.”
The ultramarathon kicked off in the shadows of the Kennedy Space Center in Titusville, FL and culminated on the sandy beaches of Clearwater Beach, FL. DMS has a longstanding history of supporting the military community, with strong veteran and first responder connections through both its employees and leaders, making the partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation a perfect fit.
DMS expresses immense appreciation for its employee runners, whose dedication, preparation and teamwork pushed them through this triumphant feat. DMS also thanks the generous sponsors, without whom the DMS Heroes & Legends Ultramarathon would not have been possible, including premier sponsors Fluent, PushPros, SafeLife365, Skadden, and other supporting firms such as Aramis Interactive, Clairvest, Kaleyra, Qatalyst, SBG Media, the law firm of Barnett Bolt, Kirkwood, Long Koche Foster, the law firm of Klein, Moynihan and Turco, What If Media Group and Yodel Technologies.