Bands For Freedom Foundation Inc. Receives Strong Support From High-Profile Celebrities;...

OREM, Utah -- Senator Orrin Hatch isn't the only well-known supporter of the Bands For Freedom Foundation Inc.

Bands For Freedom today announced that it is receiving support from several well-known celebrities in its efforts to raise funds for the Armed Forces Relief Trust (AFRT)

On the Jan. 3 Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the popular rock band Bowling for Soup played their hit single "1985." During their performance lead singer Jaret Reddick took the opportunity to show off his red, white and blue Bands For Freedom wristbands while pointing across the set to Jay Leno. Bowling for Soup backs the Bands For Freedom Foundation and the U.S. troops.

Another major supporter of Bands For Freedom is Olympic gold medalist Rulon Gardner, who recently competed in his first Pride Fighting Championship in Tokyo. Gardner fought Japan's gold medalist judo legend Hidehiko Yoshida and soundly beat him, earning Gardner his first Pride Fighting Championship victory. Gardner is a staunch supporter of Bands For Freedom and is himself a prime example of American heroism.

Superstars like Vanessa Carlton and Christina Milian wear Bands For Freedom wristbands and are vocal supporters as well. While celebrities continue to add their names to the growing list of supporters, Bands For Freedom wants to extend that same opportunity to everyone, regardless of celebrity status.

"Anyone can do this, which is what we think is so great about these wristbands," said Steve Cloward, president and chief executive officer of Bands For Freedom. "You don't have to be a millionaire or a movie star, you just have to recognize the great service being done by the troops and then support them by wearing the Bands For Freedom wristbands."

Wearing the new Bands For Freedom wristbands supports the U.S. troops in two ways. First, after covering the costs of manufacturing and administration, the creators of Bands For Freedom are donating 100 percent of its revenue to the Armed Forces Relief Trust (AFRT) to aid soldiers and their families.

The AFRT has a proud history of providing needed funds for soldiers in crisis. Soldiers who must travel back to the United States for a funeral, the birth of a child or other emergency can turn to the AFRT to access the money they need to travel. Soldiers and their families can also apply for interest-free loans from the AFRT to help with bills while their family is away serving their country.