Distinction Honors State and Local Chambers for Joining Mission of Helping Veterans, Transitioning Service Members, and Military Spouses Find Meaningful Employment

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced that the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce has been honored by Hiring Our Heroes with the Chamber of Valor award. The Chamber of Valor acknowledges the contributions of local chambers, industry associations, and business development organizations that join the Hiring Our Heroes mission of finding meaningful employment for veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses. “We would never be able to do the work we do without the tremendous support of local chambers and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is setting a standard for other chambers to follow,” said Eric Eversole, executive director of Hiring Our Heroes and vice president at the U.S. Chamber. “The Saratoga County Chamber has been instrumental in educating and influencing employers about the great value veterans and military spouses bring to the workforce.” Chamber of Valor award recipients submitted applications to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to be considered for the award. Applications were scored by U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation staff and honorees were awarded at the one-, two-, and three-star levels. The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is a three-star Chamber of Valor award recipient. Hiring Our Heroes launched in March 2011 as a nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment. To date, more than 1,500 companies have hired over 25,000 veterans and military spouses as a result of more than 810 hiring fairs. In March 2012, the U.S. Chamber and Capital One launched Hiring 500,000 Heroes, a national campaign to engage the business community in committing to hire half a million veterans and military spouses by the end of 2014. Thus far, more than 1,700 businesses of all sizes have pledged to hire 474,000 heroes toward this goal. To date, 285,000 hires have been confirmed.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy, and the global business environment.