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Joining Forces Announces Community Challenge Finalists

Summary: 
Cast your vote for the People’s Choice Winner, a citizen, community, or organization that has demonstrated a deep commitment to service by improving the lives of military families and veterans

Last week, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden announced 20 finalists as part of the Joining Forces Community Challenge, an effort to recognize and celebrate citizens, communities, and organizations who have demonstrated a deep commitment to service by improving the lives of military families and veterans.  The 20 finalists are profiled on http://joiningforces.challenge.gov/.  You can participate by visiting the site and voting for your favorite submission to be the People’s Choice Winner, which will be announced on March 16.  In addition to the People’s Choice Winner, five additional winners will be chosen with input from a panel of distinguished judges including Tom Brokaw, J.R. Martinez, Sloan Gibson, Mayor Julian Castro, and Deanie Dempsey.  The First Lady and Dr. Biden will announce those winners and honor all 20 finalists at the White House later this spring. 

The challenge received more than 300 submissions in three months – inspiring stories about extraordinary Americans going the extra mile to show their support and appreciation for our troops and families.  The First Lady and Dr. Biden have always said that Joining Forces is about all Americans going to their strengths – and doing what they do best – to enhance the lives of military families.  And, while only 20 submissions were selected as finalists – all of the entries demonstrate a deep dedication to service and commitment to our troops, veterans and their families. The Joining Forces team congratulates and thanks everyone who entered, and their volunteers and supporters, for their service to our troops. We are inspired and energized by their heartwarming stories. 

The First Lady and Dr. Biden have visited military communities across the country to spend time with military families and the many people who support them.  The Challenge entries demonstrate exactly the spirit of service they have seen all across America.  They hope that highlighting their work will inspire similar efforts to support military families in communities throughout the Nation.  So, please join us in congratulating the finalists, and visit http://joiningforces.challenge.gov/ to vote for your favorite submission.