Career Step to Donate $5,700 to the National Military Family Association

    LEHI, UT, December 16, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Career Step, an online provider of career-focused education and professional training, is pleased to announce that it will donate $5,700 to the National Military Family Association's Operation Purple Program, as a result of its November Referral Program donation drive. Career Step is donating $50 per student who enrolled on the recommendation of a friend in November, which is National Military Family Month.

"This is our fifth year doing this donation drive, and it is always a highlight," said Vonda Andrews, Career Step Referral Program Manager. "Our wonderful network of students and graduates does so much to share the opportunities we offer with their friends and family. We are grateful for their hard work. Our mission is to improve our students' lives through education, and it is rewarding to partner with our referrers to extend our reach to military families as well."

This year's donation will benefit the Operation Purple Program, which focuses on helping military families cope with the stress of deployment, homecoming and injuries. Their summer camps, family retreats and other programs connect military families with others in similar situations, enabling them to learn proven communication techniques and make positive memories while hiking, canoeing, crafting and more.

Operation Purple has sent nearly 60,000 military kids to this free camp experience since 2004. In 2016, Operation Purple served 2,492 campers in 25 different locations. Of the campers, more than 41 percent had a parent who was wounded, ill or injured, and 53 percent had a parent deploy in the 15 months prior to their camp experience.

"We are so grateful for Career Step's partnership in bringing these great opportunities into the lives of military families," said National Military Family Association Executive Director Joyce Wessel Raezer. "These funds will make it possible for nearly 20 children to enjoy time in the outdoors with other kids who can understand their unique family situations."

The donation is only one of many ways Career Step supports the military community. More than 15,000 military spouses and service members have trained with Career Step over the years, and the school has been recognized as a Military Friendly School for six years in a row. In addition to being an original member of the Military Spouse Employment Program (MSEP), Career Step is also a MyCAA-approved school and offers quarterly scholarships for military spouses in partnership with the National Military Family Association.

Career Step's Referral Program offers resources and incentives for those interested in telling others about Career Step's training programs. To learn more about the Career Step Referral Program and how you can participate, visit CareerStep.com/promote. More information about the scholarship offered in conjunction with the National Military Family Association can be found at CareerStep.com/nmfa.

About Career Step
Career Step is an online provider of career-focused education and professional training. The company has trained over 100,000 students for new careers as well as more than 100,000 healthcare professionals through its various continuing education courses. More than 150 colleges and universities nationwide have partnered with Career Step, and the company provides training for several of the largest and most respected healthcare employers in the nation. Career Step is committed to helping students and practicing healthcare professionals alike gain the skills they need to be successful in the workplace--improving lives, advancing careers and driving business results through education. More information can be found at http://www.careerstep.com or 1-800-246-7836.

About National Military Family Association
The National Military Family Association is the leading nonprofit dedicated to serving the families who stand behind the uniform. Since 1969, NMFA has worked to strengthen and protect millions of families through its advocacy and programs. They provide spouse scholarships, camps for military kids, and retreats for families reconnecting after deployment and for the families of the wounded, ill, or injured. NMFA serves the families of the currently serving, retired, wounded or fallen members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and NOAA. To get involved or to learn more, visit http://www.MilitaryFamily.org.

# # #