Chase enlists as inaugural sponsor of Carry The Load® 2015!

Dallas, March 25, 2015 - For many, Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer and is oftentimes spent at backyard barbecues or shopping for sales. But Chase, the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co., is stepping up to help make Memorial Day meaningful in America once again.

Chase has become the first official 2015 Relay and Dallas Memorial March sponsor of Carry The Load. Carry The Load is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day. Programs for Carry The Load connect civilians to our military and first responders, as well as their families, who have sacrificed to ensure our freedoms.

Memorial Day was first observed in Waterloo, N.Y. in 1882. The holiday’s name became official in 1967, and it was established as the last Monday in May in 1968. Carry The Load was formed in 2011 by former Navy SEALs to help remember, honor and celebrate those who have paid the ultimate price.

Chase will be a presenting sponsor for Carry The Load’s “National Relay,” a 27-day, 2,000-mile journey from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., to Dallas. The Relay progresses 24 hours a day, rain or shine, with walkers crossing 12 states and the District of Columbia between April 28 and May 24, 2015. It is used to create national awareness for the mission and inspire Americans to find ways to have a more meaningful Memorial Day.

"The few serve the many. Our military and first responders serve and save us every day." said Clint Bruce, a former Navy SEAL and co-founder of Carry The Load. "Carry The Load is about saying thank you. It is about reconnecting America with those who sacrifice for us daily and honoring the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. To have a company like Chase, who can trace its history back to our earliest days as a nation, carry the load with us means so much."

Chase will also be a local sponsor for Carry The Load’s Dallas Memorial March on Memorial Day weekend. The 20-hour and 15-minute walk through downtown Dallas begins Sunday, May 24 and ends Monday, May 25. Last year’s event drew an estimated 25,000 participants.

The bank is also establishing local rallies in cities such as Columbus, Ohio; Chicago; Jacksonville, Fla.; Tampa, Fla.; San Antonio; Houston; and Phoenix; allowing Chase employees and others in those communities to take part.

“Chase is honored to join Carry The Load in paying tribute to the men and women who have given their lives in our defense, their families and those who continue to put themselves in harm’s way so that we may enjoy our freedom,” said Matt Zames, Chief Operating Officer for JPMorgan Chase. “The National Relay and community events are instrumental in connecting the American people to our military and first responders and, most importantly, remind us of the sacrifices they have made.”

Chase’s partnership with Carry The Load builds upon the firm’s larger commitment to help military members, veterans and their families successfully transition to their post military service lives. Since 2011, Chase has helped veterans and military family members through its employment, housing and education programs. Chase is a founder of the 100,000 Jobs Mission, a coalition of 190 companies dedicated to hiring veterans and military spouses.

People interested in participating, donating or volunteering for a Carry The Load event can visit carrytheload.org to learn more.

For more information about Carry The Load, to schedule an interview or request additional photos, contact Renee Cossman at renee.cossman@fleishman.com.

About Carry The Load
Carry The Load is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 by two former Navy SEALs. Carry The Load's mission is to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day by remembering, honoring and celebrating the sacrifices made on our behalf by America's military, law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel, as well as their families. Funds raised during Memorial May programs allow Carry The Load to grow its vision and execute its mission, as well as provide existing nonprofit partners with valuable visibility, resources and meaningful connections.

About Chase
Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.6 trillion and operations worldwide. Chase serves nearly half of America's households with a broad range of financial services, including personal banking, small business lending, mortgages, credit cards, auto financing and investment advice. Customers can choose how and where they want to bank: More than 5,500 branches, 18,000 ATMs, mobile, online and by phone. For more information, go to Chase.com.