Outerwall Supports Veterans Today and Everyday

On this, the 95^th anniversary of Veterans Day, my colleagues at Outerwall and I offer our respect and heartfelt appreciation to the men and women who have served or are currently serving our country.

Outerwall actively supports veterans throughout the year as part of our commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse culture within our company, which then extends to the communities outside the workplace.

At Outerwall, we strive to create a culture which embraces diversity, encourages inclusion and maximizes each individual’s potential for creativity and innovation. The result is that these different talents and perspectives make us a better company and strengthen our community.

One of the ways we create a culture of inclusion is through our Business Resource Groups (BRGs). BRGs are created by Outerwall employees who share a community identity (e.g., women, lesbian gay bisexual transgender) or life stage (e.g., veterans, millennials, working parents). Outerwall BRGs are dedicated to fostering a diverse, welcoming and supportive work environment.

I have the highest respect for the men and women who serve in the military and their families; thus I jumped at the opportunity to be the executive sponsor for the Armed Forces and Allies (AFA) BRG. Also, I have a personal connection to the military having served in the Air Force as a Computer Systems Development Officer.

The mission of the AFA is to promote Outerwall as a military friendly company that encourages, supports and promotes members and veterans of the Armed Forces, their families and allies. The AFA provides career support and mentorship opportunities, sponsorship of deployed military families, education services, market place initiatives and community involvement.

In commemoration of Veterans Day, Lorraine Thomas, Development Director for the VA Puget Sound Fisher House, is visiting our Bellevue, Wash., office today to speak with Outerwall employees about recent successes and future goals for Fisher House Foundation. Fisher House Foundation is a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment.

Helping others is core to who we are as a company. In fact, 28% of Outerwall employees volunteered in 2013. Employees across the company -- whether they work with Redbox, Coinstar, ecoATM or in New Ventures -- share a commitment to helping veterans.

Outerwall Supports Fisher House Foundation

In honor of Veterans, Sounders FC and Outerwall have teamed up to support Fisher House Foundation. Each time Sounders FC score a home goal during the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs, Outerwall and Sounders FC will donate $1,500 to Fisher House. The donations will support military families at both the Veteran Affairs Puget Sound Fisher House and the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fisher House.

In addition, Outerwall honored veterans continuously throughout Monday’s game with field level LED signage displaying the message “Outerwall thanks veterans for creating a better everyday. We’re inspired by you.”

Earlier this year, Outerwall donated $15,000 and NASCAR tickets to Fisher House Foundation in honor of our AFA BRG.

Growing Veterans

On September 11, in honor of the National Day of Service and Remembrance, Outerwall employees worked with Growing Veterans and 21 Acres Center for Local Food and Sustainable Agriculture.

Together, these organizations are helping veterans reintegrate while also teaching them how to grow food through sustainable agriculture. Our employees learned about sustainable farming practices, while removing non-native plants and cleaning up a greenhouse on 21 Acres’ Veteran half-acre. In addition, Outerwall gave a $5,000 grant to Growing Veterans.

National Veterans Transition Services, Inc.

This summer our leadership team volunteered with the NVTS’s Project REBOOT which assists members of the military in making the social and career transition from years of service by addressing their fears and “re-booting” their skills. We were honored to speak with veterans and provide insights about how to re-enter the job market.

These are just a few of the ways Outerwall is giving back to veterans who have given so much to all of us. We remain committed to helping veterans and their families as they come back home to live and work beside us.