Last week, the Largemouth team attended the 2012 InSpire Awards, hosted by the North Carolina Chapter of The Public Relations Society of America (NCPRSA) at the Capital City Club in downtown Raleigh. We were joined by members of The Pantry as the 2011 Kangaroo Express Salute Our Troops Campaign was named a finalist for integrated communications campaigns. As we anxiously awaited the results segment of the ceremony, NBC 17’s Valonda Calloway, host of My Carolina Today and emcee of the event, led us through an (appropriately) inspiring introduction.

Our campaign was contesting for a Silver InSpire Award, which highlighted campaigns as a whole. And we were in great company among some of the best PR agencies in our state! But our nervous smiles were soon assured with the news that Salute Our Troops was awarded a Silver Award of Excellence and named "Best in Category.”

We graciously accepted the first award, and although our smiles never faded, they did grow much larger as the overall top-scoring campaign was announced, and Salute Our Troops was honored by NCPRSA with the "Silver Best in Show" award for 2012! In my mind, the excitement of this top honor was only shadowed by the moment the $2.5 million Salute Our Troops donation check was revealed at last year’s campaign finale event.

I wish everyone involved in the entire campaign was able to join us that evening; we were all part of something truly special. I’ll always look back at last year’s campaign in adoration and appreciation for every person, organization and bit of hard work that made it possible.

But reveling in our past success should be short lived; I now view last year’s achievements as a challenge. Months ago, our team tirelessly began the task of planning and organizing Salute Our Troops 2012, which will run from June 27-September 4, and will again include a community activation tour traveling through 13 states throughout the Southeast to capture the attention of Kangaroo Express guests and the military community.

Funds raised will once again benefit the USO, Wounded Warrior Project and several stated based military support organizations. So, be sure to check out www.KESalute.com or #KESalute on Twitter to find out when the tour will stop in your town, and stop by any Kangaroo Express store beginning June 27 to donate!