FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 19, 2014
Contact: Brittney Hamilton (206) 713-1363
Operation Ward 57 Helps Make the Holidays Brighter
for more than 650 Children of Wounded Service Members
WASHINGTON – Operation Ward 57, a top-rated nonprofit dedicated to supporting wounded, injured and ill service members, veterans and their caregivers, implemented a program that is making the holiday season brighter for 668 children across the country.
For a second year, Operation Ward 57 executed the Adopt a Wounded Warrior Family initiative that matches organizations, businesses and individual sponsors with wounded warrior families. The sponsors agree to purchase gifts for each child in the family, as well as provide a gift card to the family for a holiday meal.
Emily Mather was a recipient in 2013, this year her family is a sponsor to a fellow wounded warrior family. “I am very proud that we were able to be recipients last year and are now in the position of being able to give back,” said Mather. “Our wounded families have sacrificed so much physically, mentally and spiritually that it is important not to forget those sacrifices that they have made.”
After prospective sponsors are vetted and matched with a family, they connect with them directly to build a wish list. This gives sponsors the opportunity to get to know the families, and select gifts tailored to each child. For the matched families and sponsors that live locally to one another, the delivery of the gifts may take place in person, culminating in an emotional meeting between the former strangers.
Interest in this year’s program soared, shattering the expectation of serving 100 families. Instead, 231 ill and injured veterans are receiving assistance that will help their family celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah. For many wounded veterans and caregivers, the holiday season can bring stress due to the financial hardships caused by a life-altering illness or injury.
“An injury can impact a veteran not only physically or mentally, but also financially,” said Operation Ward 57 Executive Director Brittney Hamilton. “The road to recovery is difficult enough without having to worry about choosing between paying bills and celebrating with loved ones. The holiday season should bring joy to the men and women who served—not stress or anxiety.”
“Operation Ward 57’s Adopt a Wounded Warrior program not only supports wounded veterans and their families, but it allows us to recognize them for their service and sacrifice,” said Hamilton. “It’s our way of saying ‘Thank you.’”
##
About Operation Ward 57: Operation Ward 57 supports wounded, injured and ill service members, veterans, their caregivers and those that aid in their recovery by providing assistance and outreach in their recovery, comfort and morale, and through advocacy, education and promotion of their circumstances. Learn more at www.operationward57.org.
