Wounded Warrior Project® Announces USAA as Title Sponsor for the Ninth Annual Courage Awards & Benefit Dinner
Limited event tickets and table sponsorships are still available
Jacksonville, FL (May 13, 2014) – Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is pleased to announce USAA as the title sponsor for their ninth annual Courage Awards & Benefit Dinner. This year’s event will be held Thursday, May 29, 2014 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Individuals and corporations who want to attend and demonstrate their support for this generation of wounded veterans can visit here for more information.
Three special honors will be awarded during the evening:
- The Talkhouse Award for Community Service is given to honor an individual or corporation 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 Under Armour and CEO Kevin Plank for their continued efforts in supporting warriors through underwriting the WWP Backpack program, raising funds and awareness through UA Freedom Games, training and hiring WWP Alumni through Warriors to Work™, and engaging warriors and families in numerous Physical Health & Wellness events.
- The Tony Snow 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. This year’s award will be presented to Bob Costas.
- The George C. Lang Award for Courage was founded in memory of George C. Lang, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and friend of WWP, who passed away March 16, 2005. This award salutes an individual who best exemplifies George’s spirit and virtue; he was a humble, unyielding, behind-the-scenes advocate for all veterans – especially those with disabilities. The recipient of this award will be announced the night of the event.
"Terms such as courage and hero are often overused by the media and society as a whole, but this is one night where it won't be used enough," said USAA's Marc Hildebrand, Executive Director, Military Affinity. “We are both proud and humbled to be associated with the gala and Wounded Warrior Project®. Supporting WWP is an example of how USAA is ensuring the current generation of warriors - and those who will follow them - have access to essential resources to assist in their recovery."
The funds raised by the Courage Awards & Benefit Dinner will help WWP provide much needed support for our nation’s injured service members with programs like adaptive sporting opportunities, benefits counseling, and education and employment services, among others. WWP empowers wounded service members with the tools essential to not only survive their injuries but to thrive and achieve personal and professional success.
“Holding the Courage Awards & Benefit Dinner in May is one way we celebrate Military Appreciation Month,” said Steve Nardizzi, chief executive officer, Wounded Warrior Project. “Organizations like USAA have demonstrated unwavering support for WWP and our nation’s military, and we are honored to have them as our title sponsor.”
The Courage Awards & Benefit Dinner presented by USAA will once again feature a silent auction with unique travel packages as well as collectibles. One package features a true Boston experience with a stay at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Cambridge, Green Monster tickets to a Red Sox game, and lunch or dinner at the iconic Cast ‘n Flagon restaurant. . The online auction will be open to the public and can be accessed via the event website wwpcourageawards.org, beginning 8 a.m. EST May 12, 2014 with bids closing at 11:59 p.m. EST May 28, 2014. All proceeds from the auctions will go to WWP and assist with programs and services to benefit wounded service members.
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.