That time of year: Soldiers Angels VALOUR-IT fundraiser.
The Soldiers' Angels annual VALOUR-IT fundraiser is upon us.
What: Valour-IT provides (1) voice-controlled and adaptive technology laptops to wounded servicemembers to let them keep in touch with family, friends, and colleagues as they recover and, if necessary, to help them transition to a new career; (2) Wii whole-body game systems, which are an extremely useful tool in both physical and mental rehabilitation for the wounded; and (3) personal GPS devices to help those with TBI (traumatic brain injuries) and severe PTSD to maintain their confidence and independence while they recover and rehab.
How: The annual fundraiser runs from late October until Veteran's Day (Remembrance Day; 11 November). It nominally pits each of the services against each other, although the money raised all goes to the common fund and everyone benefits. You can donate on behalf of the Army, Navy (plus Coast Guard), Air Force, or Marines, or you can give to the general fund if you don't want to play favorites. But do play favorites. :) Traditionally, the Marines, the smallest and most impoverished of the services, rival the Army (the largest) for funds raised -- that the Corps' birthday falls during the fundraiser doesn't hurt, nor does the Marines'...erm, esprit de corps. Meanwhile, the Navy trails heavily and the Air Force traditionally embarrasses itself.
Here are the 2010 donation race standings
I pimp this event every year because it is a really great program (and one that yes, you can give to all year round) and because all of you are in a prime position to understand how a little bit of technology (and the internet!) can go a long way toward a huge inprovement in quality-of-life and its enjoyment. The economy's in the toilet and we're all watching our pennies, but every little bit helps. Especially if you're giving on behalf of the Air Force. *cough*
What: Valour-IT provides (1) voice-controlled and adaptive technology laptops to wounded servicemembers to let them keep in touch with family, friends, and colleagues as they recover and, if necessary, to help them transition to a new career; (2) Wii whole-body game systems, which are an extremely useful tool in both physical and mental rehabilitation for the wounded; and (3) personal GPS devices to help those with TBI (traumatic brain injuries) and severe PTSD to maintain their confidence and independence while they recover and rehab.
How: The annual fundraiser runs from late October until Veteran's Day (Remembrance Day; 11 November). It nominally pits each of the services against each other, although the money raised all goes to the common fund and everyone benefits. You can donate on behalf of the Army, Navy (plus Coast Guard), Air Force, or Marines, or you can give to the general fund if you don't want to play favorites. But do play favorites. :) Traditionally, the Marines, the smallest and most impoverished of the services, rival the Army (the largest) for funds raised -- that the Corps' birthday falls during the fundraiser doesn't hurt, nor does the Marines'...erm, esprit de corps. Meanwhile, the Navy trails heavily and the Air Force traditionally embarrasses itself.
Here are the 2010 donation race standings
I pimp this event every year because it is a really great program (and one that yes, you can give to all year round) and because all of you are in a prime position to understand how a little bit of technology (and the internet!) can go a long way toward a huge inprovement in quality-of-life and its enjoyment. The economy's in the toilet and we're all watching our pennies, but every little bit helps. Especially if you're giving on behalf of the Air Force. *cough*