Grant Received from Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Sep 8, 2016

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            

OPERATION WARD 57 RECEIVES $3750 GRANT FROM CHRISTOPHER & DANA REEVE FOUNDATION FOR THE STANDING GUARD SERVICE DOG PROGRAM

Seattle, WA – August 30, 2016 – Operation Ward 57 is proud to announce that it has received a $3750 Quality of Life grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The award was one of 79 grants totaling over $575,704 awarded by the Reeve Foundation to nonprofit organizations nationwide that provide more opportunities, access, and daily quality of life for individuals living with paralysis, their families, and caregivers. Conceived by the late Dana Reeve, the program has awarded over 2,700 grants totaling over $20 million since 1999.

OPERATION WARD 57 will use the grant to help support the Standing Guard Service Dog Program, which provides support for Veterans and their service dogs in order to help restore their physical and emotional independence. This program partners with several non-governmental agencies to help find and place service animals with disabled veterans and assists with costs of vests, training, transportation, and veterinary care. Quality of Life grant funds will enable the Standing Guard Fund program to respond to critical needs for five wounded Veterans with whom service dogs have been placed to enable them to live more independently in the community.

“As a small grassroots nonprofit these funds will have a huge impact ensuring that many wounded heroes and their service dogs are equally taken care of and that they are never alone on the road to recovery,” said Brittney Hamilton, Executive Director, Operation Ward 57. “All of this would not be possible without the generous support of this Quality of Life grant and we are extremely humbled to be selected as a first cycle grant recipient through the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.”

Awarded twice yearly, grant requests were evaluated and scored based on a rigorous review process to determine funding for organizations that improve daily life for those living with paralysis, as well as their families and caregivers. In this particular grant cycle, the grantee review board awarded a significant number of grants in medically underserved areas for modification projects, animal service programs and veteran programs.

“Accessibility modifications and service animals help create greater independence both in home and public settings, which is key to increase inclusion in the community.” said Donna Valente, Director of Quality of Life Grants. “By supporting these types of programs in underserved areas, we are able to remove barriers to independent living for individuals living with disabilities and their families.”

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grants Program was created to address the myriad needs of children and adults living with paralysis, as well as provide assistance and education to their families and caregivers. Funded programs serve individuals living with paralysis caused by injuries, diseases or birth conditions, including but not limited to, stroke, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The grants support innovative initiatives that aim to increase quality of life by improving physical and emotional health, broadening community engagement, and increasing independence. Quality of Life grants are funded through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (cooperative agreement number 90PR3001-01-00).

About the Reeve Foundation

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau’s standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB’s Charity Seal. The Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) is a program of the Reeve Foundation, and is funded through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (cooperative agreement number 90PR3002). For more information, please visit our website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-539-7309.

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. For more information, please visit our website at www.operationward57.org or call 253-534-8779.

 

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Contact

Brittney Hamilton

Operation Ward 57

253-534-8779

Brittney@operationward57.org

Rita Gentles

(973) 379-2690 ext. 7123

media@ChristopherReeve.org

 

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