SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) recently arranged
for 175 wounded veterans and their families to enjoy an ice hockey
game between the San Antonio Rampage and Texas Stars for their
"Paint the Rink Pink" event. To support breast cancer awareness and
breast cancer survivors the ice, players, and hockey rink were all
colored in pink.
"The people were almost as much fun as the event itself," said
WWP Alumnus and Army veteran, Brian
Turner. "A lot of the veterans I know don't do well in
public settings, but when together, we're a lot more relaxed and
able to enjoy each other's company. Everyone around us was with
Wounded Warrior Project, so we had an amazing time together."
Many wounded service members face similar challenges adjusting
to their injuries and civilian life. The WWP Alumni program creates
support through shared experiences and builds camaraderie by
bringing injured veterans together. By bonding through events,
these veterans learn they are not alone. The WWP Alumni program is
one of 20 life-saving programs and services offered free of charge
to wounded service members, their caregivers, and families.
"Most of the veterans around me were talking about their
injuries and recovery," said Brian. "One of the things I've noticed
about these events is that you meet and interact with people at
different phases of recovery. Some of the Alumni who have been with
Wounded Warrior Project longer are the people most comfortable
sharing, while the newer Alumni aren't quite there yet. They see
there's a support system available to them, and it provides us a
group of people who understand what we've been through."
In addition to an evening of camaraderie and sports, Alumni who
attended were able to learn more about the WWP programs and
services available to this generation of wounded veterans. One such
program is Warriors to Work®, which offers injured
veterans, their caregivers, and family members access to a wide
variety of professional development and career guidance
opportunities covering topics like resume creation, interview
preparation, business etiquette, and networking skills. Brian has
already taken advantage of Warriors to Work's offerings, saying
that his recent experiences with WWP have given him motivation to
re-enter the workforce.
"I worked with Wounded Warrior Project on my resume and did mock
interviews, because I want to go back to work," Brian said. "It's
funny because one thing can lead to another with Wounded Warrior
Project. You go to a hockey game or a career fair and you see what
other veterans are doing, and it can really encourage you."
Since being founded in 2003, WWP has evolved its programs and
services to meet the growing needs of the constituency it serves.
Currently, more than 100,000 wounded service members, their family
members, and caregivers receive support each year through free WWP
programs and services. Through a high-touch and interactive
approach, the WWP vision is to foster the most successful,
well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation's
history.
About Wounded Warrior Project
The mission of Wounded
Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower
Wounded Warriors. WWP's purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist
the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help
injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to
provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.
WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in
Jacksonville, Florida. To get
involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.
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SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project