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AOL Launches "Military Families Week"

AOL will feature a career development and job placement hub, and The AOL Huffington Post Media Group will launch an intensive, weeklong spotlight on nonprofits helping service families. The initiative will kick off today with a special AOL "You've Got" video featuring First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. As part of this effort, Patch.com, the hyperlocal news and information platform, announces a "Patch Military" initiative bringing the news and community platform to military locations around the country.

"We're proud to support this vitally important mission to help pay back the military families who have served this country so generously," said Tim Armstrong, CEO of AOL. "The combination of our broad national reach with our depth of local coverage makes AOL the ideal platform for this important effort."

Said Arianna Huffington, President and Editor-in-Chief of The AOL Huffington Post Media Group: "While we're announcing 'Military Families Week,' we see this as just the beginning of a comprehensive effort to offer wide-ranging coverage of the issues facing service families. For instance, today, across various sections, we'll be examining the devastating effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and the high rate of unemployment facing our veterans. We will also be providing tools for service families to connect with each other and to access the services they need. And we're delighted to be announcing 'Patch Military,' our latest effort to serve communities nationwide."

Special "You've Got" Launches Spotlight on Military Families

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden are broadcasting their campaign in support of military families in an AOL "You've Got" video launching today. The video will reach an audience of more than 10 million daily AOL.com users.* The AOL Huffington Post Media Group will today cover and prominently feature the stories of military families and explore diverse issues that affect them, including mental health, substance abuse, health care, divorce and education.

To see the video, go to http://pdl.stream.aol.com/pdlext/aol/us/syndication/aoldotcom/youvegot/2011/yg_firstladies-DS.mp4.

Career Development and Job Placement Resources Hub

AOL Jobs, a career development and job placement hub, will enable military families to post resumes and connect with business opportunities. The site will give prospective employers access to posted resumes of returning soldiers and military spouses. In addition, it will offer extensive career development resources, including tips on interviewing, pursuing accreditation and degrees, negotiating salaries and more.

"Patch Military" Announced

Patch.com, a national platform of more than 800 hyperlocal news and information sites, announces the upcoming launch of "Patch Military," an extension of the company's mission to offer in-depth coverage designed to improve residents' lives and connect them with neighbors, events and services in their communities. The first Patch Military site will launch this spring and will be modeled after traditional Patch sites, with special coverage tailored to the needs of service members, their families and communities.

Driving Awareness to Nonprofits Helping Veterans and Their Families

AOL will use its powerful platform to encourage users to get involved by highlighting nonprofits helping military families. A cause module will highlight organizations helping in areas such as wellness, education and career development. The initiative will make it easy to donate to leading organizations that benefit veterans and their families, including the USO, IAVA, Fisher House and Hire Heroes USA. AOL is also creating an "I Support The Troops" online badge that can be added to e-mail signatures and posted on social networking sites.

* Average daily visitors from comScore Media Metrix March 2011

The AOL Huffington Post Media Group
Mario Ruiz
SVP, Media Relations
mario@huffingtonpost.com
or
AOL
Jennifer DeGuzman, 212-206-4520
Senior Director, Media Relations
Jennifer.deguzman@teamaol.com
or
Regina Lewis
VP, Media Relations
Regina.lewis@teamaol.com