Crown Media Family Networks Pacts with USO

Crown Media Family Networks has formed a multiplatform strategic partnership with the United Service Organizations (USO), a leading organization serving the men and women in the U.S. military and their families.

In addition to making a contribution to the organization, the collaboration includes the integration of the USO in the original Hallmark Movies & Mysteries holiday movie USS Christmas. Stars Jen Lilley and Trevor Donovan participated in a live stream Q&A with military service members and their families as part of the USO Holidays Military Virtual Programming (MVP) series ahead of the movie’s premiere on November 28.

In USS Christmas, Maddie (Lilley), a reporter for a Norfolk newspaper, embarks over the holiday season on a Tiger Cruise, where she meets a handsome naval officer (Donovan) and stumbles upon a mystery in the ship’s archive room.

Wonya Lucas, Crown Media president and CEO, said: “Helping people forge meaningful connections is at the core of both Crown Media and the USO’s mission, so we immediately recognized the tremendous synergy between our two organizations. The work the USO does to help our country’s service members stay connected with their families and home is critically important—especially during times like the holidays—and we are deeply honored to have this opportunity to support and recognize their efforts.”

Chad Hartman, USO VP of development and corporate alliances, said: “Our partnership with the Hallmark Channel is a special gift this holiday season that helps raise awareness about the needs of the military community and supports USO programming that brings a little bit of home to service members and their families. Together, we are able to honor the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces, bring cheer to military families and encourage the American public to express their gratitude for our men and women in uniform.”