This May, The Oso Sweet Co. is partnering with Vidalia onion grower Stanley Farms to enhance the quality of life for post-9/11 service members, their families and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty.

Oso Sweet Co. brands year-round supplies of sweet onions under the banner of the Saven Corp., headquartered in Savannah, GA. “Hope For The Warriors” is an outstanding charity that helps restore sense of self, the family unit and hope for veterans and military families, said President Brian Kastick. “We identified the finest charity that serves our veterans, and thought May, culminating with the Memorial Day holiday, would be a fitting month to promote such a worthy cause.”

The Oso Sweet Co. and Stanley Farms will partner to support veterans and military families. A portion of Vidalia onion sales will be earmarked for the ‘Hope For The Warriors’ charity. (Image courtesy of The Oso Sweet Co.)Brain Stanley of Stanley Farms added, ”Our sales and marketing partnership with Saven Corp. has been tremendously successful, joining the fundraising effort. Together, we look forward to making an impactful donation to ‘Hope For The Warriors’.”

Chris Kiehm, a member of the Oso Sweet sales and marketing team, elaborated on the company’s commitment to assisting veterans. “Both Brian Kastick and I served in the U.S. Marine Corps,” he said. “We wanted to find a veterans charity that would give the most back to our veterans in need. ‘Hope For The Warriors’ has been given a four-star rating by Charity Navigator, with 82.3 percent of the donation dollars going to funding of their programs. We contacted ‘Hope For The Warriors’ and they could not have been more supportive.”

During the month of May, a portion of all proceeds from the sale of Vidalia onions will be earmarked for the charity. According to Kiehm, patriotic-themed packing will feature the charity’s logo and website link. A Quick Response code will be printed on cartons and bags, directing consumers to the charity’s website, where they can learn more about the organization and its mission.

He said there will be display contests at the local, regional and national levels. Displays will be judged based upon best use of space, originality and patriotic theme. The grand prize display contest winner will receive a $500 gift card. The second-place winner will receive a $350 gift card, and the third-place winner will receive a $200 gift card.

Consumers look forward to firing up their grills in May, and Kiehm said this will also give Oso Sweet and its retail partners the opportunity to cross promote Vidalias and other items.

Kiehm was asked how the current Vidalia onion season is progressing. Although weather is likely to be responsible for some crop loss, he went on to say, “We are expecting our normal volumes. Quality and sizing should be fine.”

Oso Sweet markets Vidalias throughout the United States. “We have sent Vidalias as far as Portland, OR,” Kiehm stated.

Marketing is expected to begin on April 21 and continue through July.