Sometimes a cause is so compelling, so basic, that we are forced to share it with the community. Here is your monthly nonprofit discovery post in the series of Cause We Love.
This past weekend, I was watching 60 Minutes and a story came on about a Marine vet who returned home after serving tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. He took his own life in 2011.
Here is an excerpt from the story: One of the leading causes of death for American military forces right now is suicide. In 2012, 349 active members of the Armed Forces took their own lives, more than who died in combat. When you add the suicides among veterans, the numbers are staggering. The VA estimates that as many as 22 veterans a day die by their own hands. Twenty-two each day.
This number is staggering and in my mind, unacceptable. There are not enough services, programs and money dedicated to assisting veterans in readjusting to life back in the states.
There is one organization, that is trying to change all of that, the Wounded Warrior Project®. The vision of the organization is to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history.
There purpose is:
- To raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members.
- To help injured service members aid and assist each other.
- To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members.
The closest center is in Chicago, Illinois.
Regardless of location, the services and programs that the Wounded Warrior Project® provide to our returning veterans is absolutely critical. Do your part and spread the word, give back by holding an event or donating much-needed funds…our veterans do not pay for these services, nor should they ever have to. They paid the price on the battlefield.
Locally, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital offers a program called Wounded Warrior Traumatic Brain Injury Project, more information here.
For more information, go to: www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) takes a holistic approach when serving warriors and their families to nurture the mind and body, and encourage economic empowerment and engagement. Through a high-touch and interactive approach, WWP hopes to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history.
