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WASHINGTON D.C. (May 12, 2008) - Two former Marines have set out
to provide wounded veterans with a week's worth of rest and
relaxation in luxury homes.
"Our mission is to pair up recently wounded veterans who are the
recipients of the Purple Heart Medal with vacation homeowners who
are eager to donate a week of free lodging in their vacation
homes," said Peggy Carr, who founded the Vacations for Veterans
with her husband, Christopher.
The Washington-based organization's focus is to get veterans
wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan and their families on a "much-needed
and much-deserved respite," she said. "A vacation serves as a time
for these veterans to rejuvenate and to reconnect with families
after spending time in hospitals and [rehabilitation] facilities,"
Carr added.
The idea for Vacations for Veterans originated when Peggy began
debating which charity she would support with a portion of the
proceeds from her business, "Exclusive Exchanges." The company
helps to connect homeowners who would like to swap homes while they
vacation, and she noticed that some of her luxury vacation homes
were vacant for several weeks each year.
The enthusiastic response she received after explaining the idea
to some of the home's owners sealed the deal, and Vacations for
Veterans was born.
"What we have found to be pretty unique about our organization
is that we set it up to help the wounded veterans, of course," Carr
said. "We have found, though, that we have helped some of our home
donors as well. Many have contacted us to thank us for allowing
them to give back in some small way to our troops who have
sacrificed so much."
Homeowners who would like to participate can sign up through the
Vacations for Veterans Web site, which also is where eligible
veterans can express interest. Veterans must provide a copy of
their Purple Heart documentation to establish eligibility.
Vacations for Veterans is a new supporter of America Supports
You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies
with servicemembers and their families serving at home and
abroad.
Carr said she hopes the affiliation will help with exposure and
networking, among other things.
"We especially need help with fundraising, as we have found that
most of the veterans do not have the money to pay for travel costs
to get to a lot of our vacations homes that are available to them,"
she said.
Editor's Note: Military families can also avail
themselves of the Defense Department's America Supports You
program, which highlights home-front groups across the nation that
are providing a variety of services and support to troops and their
families. A listing of these groups and information about their
efforts is available at www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil.
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