National Veterans Organization Awards $2.7 Million Grant to Aid Wounded Soldiers
United Spinal Association announced today that their Board of Directors approved a grant allocation of $2.7 million to WWP, Inc.’s, Wounded Warrior Project. United Spinal Association announced today that their Board of Directors approved a grant allocation of $2.7 million to WWP, Inc.’s, Wounded Warrior Project. Initial funding was awarded prior to the signing of the agreement. The remaining balance of the grant will be allocated quarterly over the current fiscal year, pursuant to the agreement. The grant will be used to carry on the mission of Wounded Warrior Project, which is devoted to assisting the new generation of severely injured service men and women, as they transition into civilian life.
“United Spinal is proud to have given this project its start,” said Clair Russell Hesselton, President of United Spinal Association. “Our Board of Directors realized that its 59-year heritage of assisting veterans with severe disabilities could benefit those brave warriors returning from today’s battles.”
In November 2003, United Spinal Association adopted the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) as a program of its own. With the financial and staff support of United Spinal the WWP succeeded in helping thousands of newly injured soldiers through the WWP Backpack Program, which presents free backpacks filled with comfort items to soldiers recovering at military hospitals around the world, including Bethesda Naval Hospital and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Teaming up with one of those soldiers, Army Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Ryan Kelly, the WWP developed legislation that would establish an insurance program that would financially assist soldiers as they recovered in stateside military hospitals from life-altering injuries. This amendment, known as the “traumatic injury protection,” or the “Wounded Warrior Law” was signed into law by President Bush in May of this year.
With these major accomplishments and much more, the WWP had reached a stage of development whereby it could begin Phase II of its work—providing longer-term support for today’s wounded veterans via compensation, education, health care, insurance, housing, employment, etc. In June 2005 United Spinal’s Board had agreed that Wounded Warrior should be developed into a stand-alone charity with its own identity and programs.
“I and the rest of the Wounded Warrior Project staff would like to thank United Spinal Association for giving us our start,” said John Melia, founder and executive director of the WWP. “The wounded men and women returning home each day face challenges that can seem insurmountable at times. We’ve tried to ease their burdens by sponsoring legislation that will improve their benefits, hiring counselors to serve at Walter Reed and providing basic necessities through the WWP Backpack Program. We are committed to expanding our services and support for today’s disabled soldiers.”
United Spinal Association, a national veterans service and disability rights organization, is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease by assuring quality health care, promoting research, advocating for civil rights and independence, educating the public about these issues and enlisting its help to achieve these fundamental goals. Membership in the Association is free and open to all people with spinal cord disabilities. Initial funding was awarded prior to the signing of the agreement. The remaining balance of the grant will be allocated quarterly over the current fiscal year, pursuant to the agreement. The grant will be used to carry on the mission of Wounded Warrior Project, which is devoted to assisting the new generation of severely injured service men and women, as they transition into civilian life.
“United Spinal is proud to have given this project its start,” said Clair Russell Hesselton, President of United Spinal Association. “Our Board of Directors realized that its 59-year heritage of assisting veterans with severe disabilities could benefit those brave warriors returning from today’s battles.”
In November 2003, United Spinal Association adopted the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) as a program of its own. With the financial and staff support of United Spinal the WWP succeeded in helping thousands of newly injured soldiers through the WWP Backpack Program, which presents free backpacks filled with comfort items to soldiers recovering at military hospitals around the world, including Bethesda Naval Hospital and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Teaming up with one of those soldiers, Army Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Ryan Kelly, the WWP developed legislation that would establish an insurance program that would financially assist soldiers as they recovered in stateside military hospitals from life-altering injuries. This amendment, known as the “traumatic injury protection,” or the “Wounded Warrior Law” was signed into law by President Bush in May of this year.
With these major accomplishments and much more, the WWP had reached a stage of development whereby it could begin Phase II of its work—providing longer-term support for today’s wounded veterans via compensation, education, health care, insurance, housing, employment, etc. In June 2005 United Spinal’s Board had agreed that Wounded Warrior should be developed into a stand-alone charity with its own identity and programs.
“I and the rest of the Wounded Warrior Project staff would like to thank United Spinal Association for giving us our start,” said John Melia, founder and executive director of the WWP. “The wounded men and women returning home each day face challenges that can seem insurmountable at times. We’ve tried to ease their burdens by sponsoring legislation that will improve their benefits, hiring counselors to serve at Walter Reed and providing basic necessities through the WWP Backpack Program. We are committed to expanding our services and support for today’s disabled soldiers.”
United Spinal Association, a national veterans service and disability rights organization, is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease by assuring quality health care, promoting research, advocating for civil rights and independence, educating the public about these issues and enlisting its help to achieve these fundamental goals. Membership in the Association is free and open to all people with spinal cord disabilities.