Bands For Freedom Foundation Inc. Bolstered by High-Profile Celebrity Endorsements.

OREM, Utah -- Celebs voice their support for the U.S. troops by wearing Bands For Freedom

Bands For Freedom Foundation Inc. today announced that it continues to receive support from well-known celebrities in its efforts to raise funds for the Armed Forces Relief Trust (AFRT) and the men and women in uniform.

Nine celebrities added their names to the Bands For Freedom Heroes page, an online list of supporters for the U.S. troops via the Bands For Freedom Foundation and the AFRT. The two newest supporters of both the AFRT and Bands For Freedom are Todd Helton and Michael Keaton. Helton is a five-time Major League all-star and has won three Gold Gloves. Keaton is a heralded actor made famous for his role in films such as "Batman," "Mr. Mom" and "White Noise." Other notable celebrities who wear the wristbands and solidly back Bands For Freedom and the AFRT include the following:

--Kris Brown, the current NFL place kicker for the Houston Texans;

--Randy Couture, winner of four Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) titles and the only man ever to win the UFC championship in two separate weight divisions;

--"Willie G." Davidson, the current vice president of styling for Harley Davidson;

--Morgan Hamm, men's gymnastics silver medal winner during the 2004 Olympic Games;

--Paul Hamm, men's individual all-around gold medal winner from the 2004 Olympic Games;

--Ernie Hudson, from the blockbuster films "Ghostbusters" and "Miss Congeniality"; and

--Jeret Reddick and his band, Bowling For Soup, who can be seen wearing the wristbands in their latest video "Almost."

"Anyone can do this, which is what we think is so great about these wristbands," said Steve Cloward, president and chief executive officer of Bands For Freedom. "You don't have to be a millionaire or a movie star. You just have to recognize the great service being done by the troops and then support them by wearing the Bands For Freedom wristbands."

Wearing the new Bands For Freedom wristbands supports the U.S. troops in two ways. First, after covering the costs of manufacturing and administration, the creators of Bands For Freedom are donating 100 percent of its revenue to the Armed Forces Relief Trust (AFRT) to aid soldiers and their families.

The AFRT has a proud history of providing needed funds for soldiers-in-crisis. Soldiers who must travel back to the United States for a funeral, the birth of a child or other emergency can turn to the AFRT to access the money they need to travel. Soldiers and their families can also apply for interest-free loans from the AFRT to help with bills while their family is away serving their country.

The second way Bands For Freedom supports the U.S. troops is slightly more subtle. The Bands For Freedom wristbands are marked with the word "FREEDOM," and offer a simple yet powerful reminder to everyone who sees them or wears them of the valiant efforts of the U.S. military to preserve the American way of life.

Aside from donating money earned through the sale of its Bands For Freedom(TM) wristbands, Cloward says he feels an urgent responsibility to educate the public about ways they can help meet the basic needs of the men and women in uniform.

The AFRT doesn't just provide need-based loans and emergency funds for soldiers and sailors. It seeks to help soldiers become fiscally responsible by teaching basic financial principles and helping individual members of the armed forces piece together a sensible budget. Professionals at the AFRT also help soldiers and sailors evaluate their ability to pay back loans and help them lay out payment programs. However, these services are costly, which is why organizations like Bands For Freedom play such a vital role.

"Organizations like Bands For Freedom are quite rare," said John Alexander of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. "We are so very pleased to be the recipient of so much goodwill aimed at helping our troops and their families in times of need."

Bands For Freedom wristbands are smartly designed silicone wristbands that come in red, white, blue, as well as a marbled band with all three colors, and are similar to those made popular by the Lance Armstrong Wear Yellow Live Strong Foundation. According to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, more than 20 million Live Strong Wristbands(TM) have been purchased. The new Bands For Freedom wristbands were created to bolster support for the war on terror and our troops who sacrifice for freedom.

The wristbands come in both youth and adult sizes and can be purchased at www.bandsforfreedom.com. Nonprofit organizations, clubs, teams and other groups can buy the Bands For Freedom wristbands at wholesale prices and sell them for a profit. For more information about Bands For Freedom, please visit www.bandsforfreedom.com or call 866-217-5595.

About Bands For Freedom Foundation Inc.

Created in 2004, Bands For Freedom follows the lead of its predecessor, Freedombands Inc., and has become an enormously popular supplier of patriotic silicone wristbands. Designed to aid Americans in making a respectful and unified statement in honor of the men and women of the armed forces, Bands For Freedom donates all after-cost proceeds to the Armed Forces Relief Trust.

About the Armed Forces Relief Trust

The Armed Forces Relief Trust (www.afrtrust.org) is a unique nonprofit fund created to collect donations for U.S. troops and their families. The AFRT raises money to support the men and women of the U.S. armed forces and their families and, unlike many other charitable organizations, distributes 100 percent of the money it raises among the five divisions of the U.S. military.