|
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (Aug. 26, 2009) -
When a veteran serving as a contractor in Kuwait decided to
participate in the Ironman Florida triathlon to be held in Daytona
Beach, Fla., Nov. 7, he wanted to do it for more than just
himself.
"I want to do this for Soldiers who
can't run; I'm going to run because they can't," said Shawn Few,
senior cost analyst, CALIBRE.
Few, a Desert Storm and Operation
Enduring Freedom veteran, registered to be a sponsor participant
with the Wounded Warrior Project and in three weeks raised over
$800 from friends and family with a goal of $3,000 to be donated to
WWP.
WWP is a nonprofit organization that
provides a myriad of services to help severely wounded and
recovering servicemembers and their caregivers adjust after
returning home from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The organization was started by a
group of veterans who were moved by the sacrifices made by
servicemembers and the struggles of those returning from war. The
group began packing backpacks with a few comfort items to be
distributed to the servicemembers.
Some WWP services include the TRACK
program, which gives wounded warriors a grant that pays for all
fees, books, materials, a laptop and individual living expenses
including housing and sustenance to attend classes at Florida
Community College at Jacksonville. The classes can be applied
toward an Associate or Bachelor degree.
Another service offered is the
Transition Training Academy, which trains wounded servicemembers in
the field of information technology and empowers them to return to
the workforce with an in-demand occupational skill and the Wounded
Warrior Disabled Sports Project, which provides opportunities to
severely wounded servicemembers and their families to achieve
successful rehabilitation through participation in over a dozen
different summer and winter sports.
"On behalf of the thousands of
severely injured service members, we want to thank Shawn Few for
his dedication to our nation's heroes," said Steve Nardizzi, chief
executive officer, WWP. "Shawn's commitment is helping ensure the
tremendous personal sacrifices made by our service men and women
are not forgotten."
WWP also considers the needs of the
caregivers of a wounded warrior. The organization provides yearly
all expense paid retreats that allow caregivers to take a physical
and mental rest and provide them with the opportunity to connect
with others with similar experiences.
Many of the recovery programs are
offered free of charge to the servicemember.
"It's not about me, it's about the
[Wounded Warrior Project]," said Few. "They just do great
things."
Few intends to compete in the
triathlon, which includes a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike race and
a 26.2 marathon, to raise awareness of WWP's mission.
|
