It began on October 26th — the campaign fundraiser for Project Valour-IT. Today is the final day to reach our goal. As of the writing of this post, we have raised $88,975 for voice-controlled laptops and other assistive technologies to support Airmen, Marines, Soldiers and Sailors recovering from severe injuries. Just $11,025 would see us reach $100,000. You can help us by clicking the Donate Here button in the sidebar. Let’s finish strong.
(Note: This is a sticky post to remain until the end of the Valour-IT fundraiser on Veterans Day, November 11th. Scroll down for the daily.)
Congratulations to No Sheeples Here!, winner of the first annual Valour-IT video contest. This lst place winner receives a voice-activated laptop donated in his name to Project Valour-IT and a $75 gift certificate to the Soldiers’ Angels store.
To learn about the other winners and find links to their videos, please click here.
While I’m yammering, I’ll just mention that you have only three days left to make a donation to this worthwhile campaign. Zoom on up and click that Donate Here button in the sidebar. It is waiting for you!
That’s right, folks. Project Valour-IT campaign is twelve days in. Thanks to supporters everywhere, we’ve raised $62,672. Here you can seeTeam Marines is still in the lead, with Team Army hot on their tail. It is my sad duty to report that Team Air Force is currently getting their butt kicked by Team Navy. I suspect it may have something to do with today’s Valour-IT Post of the Day. Just sayin’!
While we are enjoying the friendly competition between military branches, I remind you that monies raised go to support wounded warriors across all the branches. We’d just like you to donate to my team — Team Air Force – here. You can do that by clicking on the donate here button in the sidebar at the very top of this blog.
The overall goal is $140,000 by Veterans Day. This is what your hard-earned dollars are going for (via Soldiers’ Angels):
Voice-controlled Laptops – Operated by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, they allow the wounded to maintain connections with the rest of the world during recovery.
Wii Video Game Systems – Whole-body game systems increase motivation and speed recovery when used under the guidance of physical therapists in therapy sessions (donated only to medical facilities).
Personal GPS – Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to severe TBI and severe PTSD.
Make this the best TGIF ever. Please consider donating to Project Valour-IT. Won’t you?
Elen
The images in this post are copyrighted and used, with permission, for the Valour-IT campaign.
A little over a week in and the Project Valour-IT campaign has raised $44,857, as of the writing of this post. Team Marines is out in front at $16,291, followed closely by Team Army at $15,305. Team Air Force — ahem, my team — is zooming along at $7,495 with Team Navy on their tail at $5,766. At $600 a pop, that’s 74 laptops for wounded vets. But it’s not just laptops. It’s Wii Video Game Systems and Personal GPS, too.
How do these pieces of technological wonder help? Here’s what Soldiers’ Angels has to say:
Each of the devices Valour-IT supplies helps restore confidence and independence. Voice-activated laptops reconnect the wounded with the world and develop self-confidence by showing soldiers they can continue to be engaged and productive despite their injuries. Wounded service members also use the laptops for education about their medical care or preparation for post-military career. Physical therapists report Wii Sports and similar programs are extremely motivational and beneficial when used in physical therapy settings, though they are not standard equipment in military hospitals. And wounded personnel with short-term memory loss due to TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and severe PTSD use GPS systems to keep from getting lost or disoriented when they move on to more independent living.
I can’t think of a better way to give back to those who have given so much. Each and every dollar donated to Valour-IT goes towards the purchase of these technologies.
To donate simply scroll to the top of this blog and click on the donate button in the sidebar. You may also send checks or money orders to: Soldiers’ Angels, Valour-IT Fund, 1792 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91104.
Whatever team you’re playing for, whether it be the Air Force, Army, Marines or Navy, donations go to support wounded warriors across all branches of the military.
