American Made Sweethearts(R) Teams Up with the USO to Give Families a Way to Say Thank You to Our Troops

REVERE, Mass., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- They're in the country's heart and prayers for defending American liberties and keeping the country safe. It's hard to come up with a unique, heartfelt way to say thank you to the American troops, but the New England Confectionery Company is stirring up a sweet idea. Sweethearts(R), the official candy of love(TM), brings a new way to show appreciation and support of the military this summer with new Red, White & You Sweethearts, featuring sentiments like "Proud of U," "Home Safe" and "Miss You."

American military troops in the U.S. and overseas will be treated to the new Red, White & You Sweethearts in care packages through a partnership with the United Service Organizations, Inc. (USO). In addition, Americans nationwide can get a taste of the new Sweethearts for their own patriotic celebrations beginning Memorial Day through the Labor Day holiday.

The new Sweethearts brand is providing a $75,000 commitment to the USO to benefit the Operation USO Care Package program and will be promoting the program on its Red, White & You packaging. In addition, a Web site for consumers to make their own donation to the Operation USO Care Package program has been set up at www.uso.org/sweethearts.

"We're proud to provide a creative way to let our troops know we are thinking of them and praying for their safe return," said Jacqueline Hague, New England Confectionery Company Vice President. "For more than a century, people have been passing along their sweet sentiments through Sweethearts Valentine's Day candies. Our new Red, White & You Sweethearts provide Americans with a new way of expressing their thanks and love to our troops with sweet reminders of home."


Sweet Simple Sayings
The new Red, White & You Sweethearts display 13 heartfelt phrases, including "I (heart) USA," "Glory," "My Hero," "Miss You," "Proud of U," "Thank You," "USO," "Honor," "I (heart) You," "Brave One," "Home Safe," "Valor," and "Proud." Featuring all-American flavors, including strawberry, blueberry and vanilla creme, the new candies also offer a softer and tastier creme flavor in an array of patriotic colors -- red, white and blue.

Starting Memorial Day, Red, White & You Sweethearts will be available nationwide in eye-catching packaging and displays in two popular sizes: 1 ounce and 14 ounces. The suggested retail price for the 1-ounce box is two for $1.00. The suggested price for the 14-ounce bag is: $1.99.

Care Packages From the Heart
Red, White & You Sweethearts will be placed in scores of USO care packages for the troops this June and July. The Operation USO Care Package program has distributed more than 1.5 million care packages to deployed service members, and continues to distribute some 25,000 packages a month to troops around the world.

"The Red, White & You Sweethearts mean a lot to our service members and their families," said Sloan D. Gibson, USO president and CEO. "Not only are they a sweet addition to USO care packages, but they are a thoughtful reminder that the USO and New England Confectionery Company are proud of their service to our country and we support them until every one comes home."

"At a time of heightened patriotism, we are thinking of those who are separated from family members serving active military duty away from home and overseas," said Hague. "We hope to provide a sweet, memorable link between families and their loved ones who are making such tremendous sacrifices every day."

Hearts & Crafts
New England Confectionery Company is offering many craft ideas for patriotic-themed decorating and entertaining on the web site www.uso.org/sweethearts. Each craft project is designed to be simple to construct and safe for young children. Sample craft ideas include:

4th of July Shakers and Candy Dispensers: The creatively fun noisemakers are ideal for parades and celebrations, and provide a patriotic sweet treat on the way home.
Thank You Favor Boxes: Kids love to personalize. Have your kids make a special favor for your guests by selecting their favorite messages to place on hand painted flag boxes.

Patriotic Cupcake Cake: Cupcakes are all the rage these days. A new twist on the classic Flag Cake, this yummy cupcake flag cake loaded with patriotic messages is ideal for celebrations with family and friends.
Red, White & You Celebration Cookies: These easy-to-make patriotic cookies are shaped as a waving flag and are perfect for picnics, parties, even barbeques.

America's Sweethearts
Made in America, Sweethearts have been a tradition for more than a century. The concept of Conversation Motto Hearts dates back to the 1800s when printed sayings on colored paper were placed in "Cockles," small crisp candies formed in the shape of a scalloped shell. In 1866, Daniel Chase, brother of Oliver Chase, who founded The New England Confectionery Company in 1847, invented the process that allows the sayings to be printed directly on the candy. Some of the original phrases that are still included in the more than 100 sayings produced are "Be Mine," "Be Good," "Be True," "Kiss Me," and "Sweet Talk."

As the top-selling iconic Valentine's Day treat, more than eight billion Sweethearts, or about 100,000 pounds of the candy hearts, are produced every day. Fat-free, gluten free, allergen-free and sodium-free, Sweethearts are one of the few treats that candy lovers young and old can enjoy without guilt. Each small heart has three calories and no fat.