Wounded Warrior Project™ Announces Geico as Title Sponsor for Annual Courage Awards and Benefit Dinner

Jacksonville, FL (May 29, 2012) – Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is pleased to announce Geico as the title sponsor for their seventh annual Courage Awards and Benefit Dinner. This year’s event will be held May 31, 2012 at The Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.

WWP programs serve warriors with every type of injury – both the physical and the invisible wounds of war. It is estimated over 48,000 servicemen and women have been physically injured in recent military conflicts, another 320,000 have experienced a traumatic brain injury while on deployment and as many as 400,000 additional service members live with the invisible wounds of war including combat-related stress, major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.  Tens of thousands of Wounded Warriors and caregivers receive support each year through Wounded Warrior Project programs that are uniquely structured to nurture the mind and body, and encourage economic empowerment and engagement. 

The Courage Awards and Benefit Dinner will help provide much needed support for mental health programs such as WWP’s Combat Stress Recovery Program (CSRP), which responds to the mental health needs of Wounded Warriors at various stages of the readjustment process. Donations raised will also fund adaptive sporting opportunities, benefits counseling, education and employment services, and many other programs. WWP empowers warriors with the tools essential to not only survive their injuries but to thrive and achieve personal and professional success.  

“Geico is honored to be involved in this year’s Courage Awards and to partner with Wounded Warrior Project in supporting the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedom,” said Rynthia Rost, vice president, Geico. 

“We are very thankful to Geico for their continued and passionate commitment to our mission of honoring and empowering Wounded Warriors,” said Steve Nardizzi, executive director, Wounded Warrior Project. 

Three special honors will be awarded during the evening:

• The Tony Snow Award is being presented to Gary Chartrand, Executive Chairman and former CEO of Acosta Sales & Marketing.  This award is designed to recognize a citizen in corporate America, the media, or the public eye who, by their actions, has made a significant difference in the lives of injured servicemen and women – and who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to WWP and its mission.
• The Talkhouse Award for Community Service is given to honor an individual whose efforts personify patriotism, demonstrates compassion, and has helped further the mission of WWP in support of the brave men and women who have sacrificed for our freedom. This year’s award will be presented to U-Haul for their passionate dedication in supporting warriors participating in WWP’s Soldier Ride™, an adaptive cycling event that allows warriors to ride alongside fellow injured service members to reclaim their confidence and strength.
• The George C. Lang Award for Courage was founded in memory of George C. Lang, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and friend of WWP. George passed away on March 16, 2005. The recipient of this award will be announced the night of the event. 

The Courage Awards and Benefit Dinner will also feature a silent auction and serve as a kick-off for an online auction of a 2012 Victory Motorcycle and riding package, including a Victory helmet personally signed by comedian and talk-show host Jay Leno, a Fulmer Firetrak2 jacket and an Indianapolis MotoGP weekend experience.   The online auction will be open to the public and can be accessed through the woundedwarriorproject.org website, beginning 6:00 p.m. EST on May 31, 2012 with bids closing at 9:00 p.m. EST June 7, 2012.   Proceeds from the auctions will go to WWP for programs and services to benefit wounded service members.

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.

Geico

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the thirdlargest private passenger auto insurer in the United States. GEICO handles auto insurance coverage for 11 million private passenger auto policies and insures more than 17.5 million vehicles. GEICO is a strong supporter of American military troops during peace time as well as war time. It's a special focus for GEICO that goes back to 1936 when the company was founded to serve enlisted service members along with other federal employees. GEICO is rated A++ for financial strength by A.M. Best Company and ranks at the top of several national customer satisfaction surveys. For more information, go to www.geico.com.