A Day of Service to Commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A day of service for groups of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) Alumni as they honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with projects focused on giving back to their communities.
In Baltimore, Maryland, Wounded Warrior Project Alumni joined veteran-lead service organizations The 6th Branch and Team Rubicon for a MLK Day of Service.
The teams focused on rebuilding and transforming vacant lots into safe play areas and green spaces for residents of East Baltimore to enjoy. WWP teammates, veterans, and their families cleared lots, picked up trash, and prepped flower beds for the spring.
Seeing everyone come together to help the community in Baltimore was rewarding for WWP Alumnus Stephanie Hornedo. "We started the day clearing out a large shed, sorting items for recycling and finished clearing and cleaning an overgrown park." She continued, "I was hesitant to participate with Wounded Warrior Project at first, it took almost a year of encouragement to join in; I felt like I didn't deserve to be there. Now, I love to pay it forward at events like this and encourage others to be involved. I want everyone to see how great the WWP programs are."
Another group of Wounded Warrior Project Alumni in Virginia worked alongside volunteers from The Mission Continues and Team Rubicon to create an inviting environment for the community. The teams spent the day assembling furniture, organizing, and cleaning the arts and homework room for The Boys and Girls Club of Virginia Peninsula.
Kevin Galmore, WWP Alumnus, loves to volunteer with WWP. "I like to keep busy and be around friends, but it is something special with fellow warriors. I love seeing warriors from past events and meeting new ones. The camaraderie generated during the service projects is amazing."
These events were offered as part of the WWP Alumni program, which creates support through shared experiences. WWP provides long-term support and camaraderie by bringing injured veterans together. Many service members face similar challenges adjusting to their injuries and civilian life; by bonding at events and programs, these wounded veterans can learn they are not alone.
Community service activities and events with other veteran service organizations like The Mission Continues and Team Rubicon are also an integral part of WWP Programmatic Investments efforts. Programmatic Investments efforts are part of a larger plan to foster a network of high caliber organizations that provide innovative and effective services addressing the most pressing needs of our nation's wounded veterans and their families. These investments will serve wounded service members by promoting wellness across all four of WWP's programmatic pillars (Engagement, Body, Economic Empowerment, Mind), by teaming up with like-minded organizations.
The Alumni program and Programmatic Investments are two of 20 free programs and services WWP offers wounded service members, caregivers, and families.
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.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160120/324261
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160120/324262
SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project