• Volunteers from The Coca‑Cola Company and their partners packed a Guinness World Records-setting 24,660 care packages on Veterans Day. 

• The Coca‑Cola Company and the USO are committing to a six-year partnership renewal, extending their relationship – which began in 1941 – past the 90-year mark. 

• The day of service preceded an America250 × USO Celebration of Service, featuring remarks from The Coca‑Cola Company, the USO, America250 and a performance by country music hitmaker and newly announced USO Global Ambassador Craig Morgan.

Volunteers from The Coca‑Cola Company packed a Guinness World Records-setting 24,660 USO care packages on Veterans Day, setting a world record for the most military care packages assembled in 8 hours (team). The day also served as a moment of celebration for a renewed commitment between The Coca‑Cola Company and the USO, who are committing to a six-year partnership renewal agreement, extending their relationship – which began in 1941 – past the 90-year mark.

On Wednesday November 11, 2026, more than 500 employee and partner volunteers gathered at The Coca‑Cola Company’s global headquarters for the 27th annual Veterans Day care-packing event. This year's event connects to Coca‑Cola's commitment to the America Gives volunteering challenge in celebration of America250, the nation's 250th anniversary.

“For more than 85 years, we have worked together to support the men and women who serve our country and the families who support them,” said Alba Baylin, Vice President, Community & Social Impact Coca‑Cola North America. “As a company built on bringing people together, we believe it is important to help service members stay connected to family, home and community, and to ensure they feel valued and supported throughout their service. Today’s history-making act of service — especially meaningful on Veterans Day — is a powerful manifestation of our enduring commitment.”

Working in partnership with the company’s Military Veterans Inclusion Network and the USO, volunteers organized supplies, prepared and assembled care packages, and readied them for distribution to active-duty military members.

 “Coca‑Cola has supported the USO’s mission to strengthen the well-being of service members and their families since our formation 85 years ago,” said Courtney Billington, USO CEO. “As we celebrate Veterans Day together and extend our partnership beyond 90 years, this renewal ensures that the USO and Coca‑Cola's support continues for the next generation of those who serve.”

The relationship began in 1941, the very year the USO was founded, with the mission to lift the spirits of service members often far from home for the first time. During World War II, then-Coca‑Cola Company President Robert W. Woodruff directed that every service member in uniform should be able to purchase a bottle of Coca‑Cola for five cents, anywhere in the world. 

In 1943, Coca‑Cola sent more than 200 employees to build and maintain 10 bottling plants for troops overseas. They were civilians who wore military uniforms and the rank of technical observer. The company also worked with Milton Bradley to create special versions of popular games for the USO, and produced branded sewing kits for each of the three services.

The 2026 Veteran’s Day partner day of service preceded an America250 × USO Celebration of Service. The gathering assembled veterans, active-duty service members from Fort Benning, military families, senior military leaders, elected officials, civic leaders – including America250 Chair, Rosie Rios – and Coca‑Cola system partners to honor active and former military. Country music hitmaker, Army veteran and newly announced USO Global Ambassador Craig Morgan performed, and the program included military tributes and stories honoring the military community.

Morgan has partnered with the USO for 24 years, including 12 overseas tours and 56 base visits. In 2006, he received the USO Merit Award for his support of service members and their families. “It is one of my greatest honors to have been selected by the USO to serve as a Global Ambassador,” says Morgan. “It has been truly special to kick-off this partnership on Veterans Day with Coca‑Cola and Monster Energy, who gave their day to assemble care packages for the troops. I've experienced firsthand what a reminder of home can mean to a service member far away."

Monster Energy, a longstanding supporter of the Veteran community, also supported the effort: “We’ve partnered with USO for many years and will always stand with our active duty, ill and injured whenever possible," said Darlene Barrett, SVP of Philanthropy at Monster Energy. “We can never come close to catching up on our debt to our Veterans, but we will never stop trying."

For generations, the USO has brought moments of connection to service members around the world through the power of entertainment. Acting as a bridge between the military community and the American public, USO entertainers express our nation’s gratitude for those serving, and raise awareness around the USO mission.

Supporting our communities, including active and veteran service people, is central to how The Coca‑Cola Company aims to make a lasting difference, through employee volunteerism, philanthropic giving and long-standing partnerships. Coca‑Cola is proud to be approaching a landmark 90-year partnership milestone with the USO, and looks forward to continuing to honor those who serve and the families and communities who stand behind them.