|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
QUESTIONS: 414-328-8910
Date: Apr 16, 2008
Paralyzed Veterans Awareness Week
During Awareness Week, all Americans are being encouraged to take time out of their busy schedules to honor the continuing courage, service, and leadership of America’s paralyzed veterans.
“Please do something in your community for paralyzed veterans and their families,” said Randy L. Pleva, Sr., National President of Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans).
With events and activities across the country and the theme Courage to Serve, Passion to Lead, Paralyzed Veterans of America Awareness Week (April 13-19, 2008) highlights the unique challenges facing veterans with spinal cord injury/dysfunction. It also highlights the work of Paralyzed Veterans of America to empower seriously wounded heroes and their families with everything they need to thrive. Plus, it’s also an opportunity to think, learn and support.
“Think about the unique challenges we paralyzed veterans face everyday—from having to fight for good health care to striving for a barrier-free, wheelchair accessible, nation. Learn more about Paralyzed Veterans of America, our continuing courage to serve, our passion to lead the charge for all veterans and their families, and the life-saving and life-changing results we are delivering. And please always support efforts to empower those who have served and sacrificed, help us help ourselves,” Mr. Pleva stressed.
In just 61 years, Paralyzed Veterans has delivered, for all veterans, people with disabilities, and their families.
For example, National PVA has:
• Helped to increase the lifespan and quality of life of paralyzed veterans from zero to near normal.
• Helped lead the charge for the Americans with Disabilities Act, making our nation more accessible for everyone.
• Fought for and secured more than $3 billion in benefits for our brave service members and veterans.
• Been the voice of paralyzed veterans in the White House, on Capitol Hill, and the Statehouses throughout America.
• Pioneered wheelchair sports and, for the past 22 years, have presented—with the Department of Veterans Affairs—the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, the biggest annual wheelchair sports event in the world.
• Invested more than $50 million in research to find a cure for paralysis.
• Met all 20 standards of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.
This very special week in April also marks the founding of the organization just over six decades ago.
“Sixty one years ago, a band of seriously wounded brothers returned home from World War II to a grateful nation and to a world with few solutions to the new challenges they faced. These paralyzed heroes made a decision not just to live, but to live with dignity. They created Paralyzed Veterans of America: An organization built on our members’ continuing courage to serve and passion to lead,” Randy L. Pleva said.
Monday, April 14, 2008 - For PVA Awareness Week the Wisconsin Chapter is visiting Rawhide Boys Ranch a faith based, non-profit residential care center dedicated to changing the lives of troubled young men. “Through specialized education, job training, and therapeutic treatment and counseling, hundreds of young men have turned their lives around since being established in 1965 by John and Jan Gillepse. Thanks to the tremendous support of NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback Bart Starr and his wife Cherry, Rawhide gained credibility and financial support from hundreds of individuals, families, corporations, and foundations throughout Wisconsin and the nation.”
Gus Sorenson, WPVA Government Relations Director, Keith Sorensen, PVA National Service Officer and Don Fell, WPVA Executive Director, will tour the facility and present to one of the About Face Community Service Corps classes.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 – Gus Sorenson, our Government Relations Director and Augie Krieser, our Government Relations Officer will again visit Jackson Elementary School in Manitowoc, WI to address the 1st grade class of Stacy Jaeger.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008 – Gus Sorenson, Brian Turner, WPVA member and WPVA National Veteran Wheelchair Games team member and Ken Matthews, Chapter Secretary, will address Marquette University Physical Therapy class.
# # #
Wisconsin Paralyzed Veterans of America
2311 South 108th Street
West Allis, WI 53227-1901
414-328-8910
<http://www.wisconsinPVA.org/>
info@wisconsinPVA.org
<back to list> <or home>
|
|
