WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ConvergeUS, the nonprofit arm of TechNet, announced the launch of Operation Appreciation 2012, a fundraising campaign to demonstrate public appreciation for the families of our nation's troops and facilitate online donations for leading military family support organizations. 

In keeping with the holiday season, ConvergeUS has teamed up with actor Geoff Stults, whose TV credits include The Finder, Ben and Kate, and 7^th Heaven, and whose movie credits include the Break-Up and Wedding Crashers to offer this great opportunity to help military families. The public can vote for one of three proposed military family events that Geoff will attend with the kids, wives, and husbands of our brave men and women in the military.

"The holiday season can be an especially trying time for our service men, women, and families. Military service and deployment create empty seats at holiday tables, religious services, and celebrations. I am honored and humbled to 'host' Operation Appreciation 2012 on behalf of a grateful nation," said Geoff Stults.

"We are thrilled to be a part of such a momentous campaign," said Patrick Gusman, Executive Director of ConvergeUS. "Every day, our troops and their families make incredible sacrifices for our country, and this is an opportunity for us to show our gratitude."

Craig Newmark, Founder of craigconnects.org and craigslist.org, and Rey Ramsey, President and CEO of TechNet, are among the tech luminaries supporting Operation Appreciation 2012.

From Nov. 21 to Dec. 31, you can join the cause by voting for your favorite event, contributing to the cause, and spreading the word. Donations directly support the National Military Family Association, Military Child Education Coalition, and Operation Purple® Program, as well as the millions of families who benefit.

The winning event, which will be announced live on the www.opapp2012.com website on 1/4/2013, will be (1) a welcome party for a relocated child at their new school, (2) a basketball tournament for military children, or a (3) welcome home party at an NBA game.  The votes will be calculated by tabulating one vote for each 'social share' and 10 votes for each dollar donated. 

"I am excited to be personally involved with the winning contest," indicated Geoff Stults confirming his commitment to share in the fun at the winning event.

In addition to voting for your favorite event, a pledge to "thank military families during the holiday season" has been launched at Causes.com. The pledge encourages the public to demonstrate their gratitude offline through real world gestures, and share their stories online for military families to see.

About ConvergeUS:
ConvergeUS is the 501(c) (3) non-profit arm of TechNet and its mission is to drive technology-enabled breakthroughs for critical social concerns. ConvergeUS annually selects a maximum of three non-profit partners to accelerate social innovation. We concentrate our efforts on either specific social issues or geographic areas in need of rapid improvement and sustainable momentum for meaningful change. In our selection process, we prioritize difficult and seemingly intractable problems and regions left behind by the innovation economy.  ConvergeUS drives the innovation required through convening and strategic support.  ConvergeUS works with a sense of urgency by encouraging entrepreneurship and bringing together the public and private sector to determine how best to deploy technology address the problems ConvergeUS identifies.

To learn more, visit www.convergeus.com. More about TechNet at www.technet.org. 

SOURCE ConvergeUS