mikemcguff.com: Texan up for CNN Hero of the Year vote

Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q is getting the vote out for Taryn Davis, founder of the American Widow Project, and nominee in the CNN Hero of the Year contest. According to its website, The American Widow Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to the new generation of those who have lost the heroes of yesterday, today and tomorrow, with an emphasis on healing through sharing stories, tears and laughter:

LAKEWAY, TX, November 28, 2011 – Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q® declares Wednesday, December 7th, as a day to honor young military widows by donating a dollar for every pound of meat sold that day at participating locations to the American Widow Project. It is a nonprofit organization founded by CNN Hero of the Year nominee Taryn Davis that helps a new generation of young military widows heal and embrace life again.

Additionally, Rudy’s Bar-B-Q’s Follow2Support, its cause-related social media initiative that supports various charities, will add another dollar for every verifiable new “like” (http://facebook.com/rudysbbq) and Twitter follower (http://twitter.com/rudysbbq) through December 7th. Rudy’s Bar-B-Q will also drive online votes for Davis to help her win CNN Hero of the Year through its social media channels, online promotions and in-store marketing. More information can be found at http://rudys.com/vote.

Davis, 25, whose husband, Cpl. Michael Davis, was killed in action in Iraq in 2007, recalls many fun visits at the Rudy’s Bar-B-Q in New Braunfels, TX.

“I have nothing but great memories with Michael and our friends and family at every visit to Rudy’s before he shipped out for Iraq,” said Davis. “I am grateful for the commitment Rudy’s is making to help raise awareness and funds for the needs of a new generation of young military widows especially this holiday season. I am also appreciative for its assistance to drive votes for me for CNN Hero of the Year.”

“Rudy’s Bar-B-Q has a longstanding and proud history of supporting nonprofit organizations that help active duty service men and women of the U.S. military, veterans and their families,” said Pete Bassett, VP of Operations at Rudy’s Bar-B-Q. “We are extremely impressed at what Taryn has done and continue to do for the widows of U.S. soldiers killed in action. We are honored to help the American Widow Project succeed in its mission.”