Bands For Freedom Foundation, Inc. Vows To Devote Full Attention To Raising Funds For The Armed Forces Relief Trust.

OREM, Utah – December 30, 2004 – After raising more than $30,000 for the Armed Forces Relief Trust (AFRT), the creators of Freedombands, Inc. today announced the creation of Bands For Freedom Foundation, Inc.

The inception of this new non-profit organization will bring increased effectiveness to the efforts of the founders of Freedombands by similarly donating all after-cost revenue from its colorful patriotic wristbands to support the U.S. troops.

"We only hope that this new company's status as a not-for-profit organization will allow us to lower costs and provide even more support to the AFRT,' said Steve Cloward, president and chief executive officer of Bands For Freedom. "Due to the simply unbelievable response to the cause of the AFRT and the patriotic wristbands, we saw the window of opportunity for the creation of a company that is totally dedicated to this great cause.'

Cloward explained that in the time he has been involved with the AFRT he has realized how necessary its role is for the troops. Aside from donating money earned through the sale of its Bands For Freedom™ wristbands, Cloward says he feels an urgent responsibility to educate the public about the great needs of the men and women in uniform.

Last week Cloward presented yet another $10,000 donation to the AFRT to provide emergency funds for U.S. Military soldiers and their families. This third check brings the donation total to $30,000. Michael Brown, director of the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society's office at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society in California, accepted the check on December 23 during a live newscast on the NBC 7 morning show in San Diego.

"This is the third $10,000 check we've presented in the last three weeks,' Cloward explained, "We hope we can continue to rally support for the men and women in uniform, and we feel strongly that we can make a positive difference for their families as well.'

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.

"Organizations like Bands For Freedom are quite rare,' said John Alexander of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. "We are so very pleased to be the recipient of so much goodwill aimed at helping our troops and their families in times of need.'


The new Bands For Freedom are smartly designed silicone wristbands that come in red, white, blue, as well as a marbled band with all three colors, and are similar to those made popular by the Lance Armstrong Wear Yellow Live Strong Foundation. According to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, more than 20 million Live Strong Wristbands™ have been purchased. The new Bands For Freedom were created to bolster support for the war on terror and our troops who sacrifice for freedom.

Marked with the word "FREEDOM,' the wristbands offer a simple yet powerful reminder of the sacrifices made each day to preserve the American way of life. After covering the costs of manufacturing and administration, the creators of Bands For Freedom are donating 100 percent of its revenue to the AFRT to aid soldiers and their families.

The wristbands come in both youth and adult sizes and can be purchased at www.bandsforfreedom.com. Non-profit organizations, clubs, teams and other groups can buy the wristbands at wholesale prices and sell them for a profit. For more information about Bands For Freedom, please visit www.bandsforfreedom.com or call (866) 217-5595.

About Bands For Freedom Foundation Incorporated
Created in 2004, Bands For Freedom follows the lead of its predecessor, Freedombands, Inc., and has become an enormously popular supplier of patriotic silicone wristbands. Designed to aid Americans in making a respectful and unified statement in honor of the men and women of the armed forces, Bands For Freedom donates all after-cost proceeds to the Armed Forces Relief Trust.

About The Armed Forces Relief Trust
The Armed Forces Relief Trust (www.afrtrust.org) is a unique non-profit fund created to collect donations for U.S. troops and their families. The AFRT raises money to support the men and women of the U.S. armed forces and their families and, unlike many other charitable organizations, distributes 100 percent of the money it raises among the five divisions of the U.S. military.
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