AMVETS SERVICE FOUNDATION DONATES CLIMBING WALL TO GEORGIA VA MEDICAL CENTER

AMVETS Healing Heroes donates $150,000 to Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, to benefit Augusta veterans’ innovative rehabilitation program

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2009—On Friday, AMVETS National Service Foundation donated $150,000 to the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Ga., to finance the purchase of a therapeutic rock climbing wall for veterans rehabilitating at the facility. The service foundation presented the check to officials from Charlie Norwood VAMC during the 65th annual AMVETS National Convention in New Orleans.

"On behalf of Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center and our director, Rebecca Wiley, I want to say that we're extremely grateful for this donation from AMVETS, which will help our veterans return to a normal life," said David Patillo, assistant medical center director at Charlie Norwood VAMC. "We can't do enough to support our wounded troops who have done so much for this country."

The service foundation made the donation as part of the AMVETS Healing Heroes program, which directly supports wounded veterans and their loved ones. When AMVETS Healing Heroes rolled out in spring 2008, AMVETS National Service Foundation sought to keep families of wounded troops together through the long rehabilitation process.

Today, the program has expanded to seek additional rehabilitation opportunities to support wounded veterans through innovative therapeutic options like the Charlie Norwood VAMC climbing wall.

Every cent donated to AMVETS Healing Heroes goes to help wounded warriors, since the program has no overhead costs. To date, AMVETS National Service Foundation has distributed more than $300,000 in aide since its inception.

AMVETS National Programs Director Beryl Love said he is looking forward to continuing to support healing heroes, as the AMVETS National Service Foundation's fund for the program continues to grow.

About AMVETS:    
A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community service and legislative reform that enhances the quality of life for this nation’s citizens and veterans alike. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organizations in the United States, and includes members from each branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves. To learn more visit www.amvets.org.