Overview
WWE believes in giving back to the communities and fans that so fervently support our programming and products. All charitable requests should be sent to Sue Aitchison, Manager, Community Relations, WWE, Inc., 1241 East Main Street, Stamford, CT 06902 or via fax: 203-353-5029. No emails please.
Get R.E.A.L.
Get R.E.A.L. is an in school program that brings WWE Superstars into senior high and middle schools to deliver positive messages about Respect, Education, Achievement and Leadership, and how these four tenets can help students achieve their goals. WWE Superstars have visited more than 32 states and Canada speaking to students on how to achieve success through these core values.
Get R.E.A.L. Read
Started in the summer of 2001, WWE Superstars visit libraries during the summer months promoting the importance of literacy. More than 300,000 posters featuring WWE Superstars encouraging reading have been distributed to teachers, libraries and parents across the United States over the past few years. WWE and the American Library Association’s Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) are sponsoring the WrestleMania Reading Challenge to encourage “reluctant readers” to read more often. The Challenge, with more than a 1,000 libraries participating, will culminate at the national WrestleMania Reading Challenge final the weekend of WrestleMania 24 in Orlando, Fla.
In the UK, WWE has partnered with the National Literacy Trust to promote reading and The WrestleMania Reading Challenge, which expanded this year to now include UK students. In addition, more than 30,000 posters featuring WWE Superstars Rey Mysterio, Shelton Benjamin and John Cena, have been distributed to high schools throughout the UK by the National Literacy Trust. The demand for these posters outdid the demand for the posters featuring well-known English soccer players.
Smackdown Your Vote!
Smackdown Your Vote! was developed in July 2000, when we realized that the popularity of our programming could help reach the 18-30 year old demographic, statistically the group least likely to vote.
Smackdown Your Vote! is a non-partisan partnership to encourage more 18 to 30 year olds to vote. Among the organizations participating are the League of Women Voters, the National Association of Secretaries of State, the Harvard Institute of Politics, Rock the Vote and the University of Virginia’s Youth Leadership Initiative, and Rock the Vote. Smackdown Your Vote! has engaged in various activities and provided resources to reach young adults throughout the U.S. to encourage them to become more active in the democratic process.
Among our accomplishments: creation of a national voter issues paper for 18-to 30-year-olds; voter registration activities at WWE live events in 39 states; and a 2004 Smackdown Your Vote! Youth Debate undertaken in cooperation with the Commission on Presidential Debates that was broadcast by ABC News Now. In 2006, a series of podcasts were conducted centered around the questions found within The 18-30 VIP. National political figures who participated in the podcast series included Ken Mehlman, former Republican Party Chairman, Gov. Howard Dean, Democratic Party Chairman, Speaker Nancy Pelosi , former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow and former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen. In 2008, Smackdown Your Vote! partnered with Rock the Vote on a "Rock the Caucus" initiative in Iowa aimed at encouraging high school students to attend the caucuses. It was a success as there was triple the turn out of 17-29 year olds from the 2004 caucuses. Additional activities will be undertaken in 2008 to build upon this momentum.
Community Outreach:
WWE undertakes a host of activities to benefit our fans and their communities, with a focus on youth. Each month, WWE responds to requests from charitable organizations providing items for fundraising and auction activities.
Circle of Champions
World Wrestling Entertainment’s Circle of Champions grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses who desire to meet their favorite WWE Superstars. Since 1982, WWE Superstars have conducted more than 5,000 meet-and-greet sessions with sick children in the United States, Great Britain, Germany and Australia. In 2004, the Make-A-Wish Foundation awarded WWE its Chris Greicius Award for WWE’s extensive support of its organization.
Military Outreach
WWE Superstars regularly visit military bases and hospitals, including Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital, to bolster the morale of our troops. Since 2003, the WWE has produced WWE’s Holiday Tribute to the Troops with WWE Superstars performing before troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. WWE also is a proud supporter of the National Guard’s ChalleNGe program, which assists underprivileged youth obtain their GED or other technical trades.
In 2004, the USO of Metropolitan Washington presented WWE with the first ever “Legacy of Hope” award for our extensive support of our troops and the USO’s Operation Care Package program. In 2005, The Army Air Force Exchange Service awarded WWE the first-ever Three Commander Coin Award for WWE’s support of its partnership with AAFES to improve the quality of life for our troops by supporting service members and their families worldwide. In 2006, WWE received the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award for exceptional public service in support of deployed service members in Iraq and Afghanistan.