Wounded Service Members and Their Families Make New Connections Through Family Fun

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Feb. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Few things are more fun than the light competition of bowling. Gutter balls aside, racking up strikes on a team provides a relaxing way to gather with old friends and make new connections. Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) recently hosted a group of wounded veterans and family support members for its monthly Colorado Springs Bowling Bash.

The night included buffet-style eating, gift cards for arcade games, and two lively rounds of laser tag for WWP Alumni and their families. Social outings, like the Colorado Springs Bowling Bash, build bonds among wounded veterans that can be valuable in their recovery. One of 20 free programs and services, the WWP Alumni program provides opportunities for injured service members and their families to build personalized, local support networks.

Family support member Angela Walter, whose husband Daniel is a WWP Alumnus and Army veteran, was glad the event included her whole family. "It was wonderful!" Angela said. "We got to bowl for a while and then went to the arcade to play games with the kids."

The Walters saw some familiar faces at the Bowling Bash and got the opportunity to expand their support circle with new Alumni and family members.

Angela said, "We had the pleasure of seeing friends at the event, meeting new people, and making new connections. The highlights were the smiles and laughter we shared with other families."

Angela added that the positive atmosphere provided a way to relax from daily pressures.

"It was an opportunity to get out of the house and not stress about spending from our personal budget. It was fun because of the people who understand our experiences and challenges, because they've been through it too," she said.

WWP is currently serving more than 100,000 wounded service members, their family members, and caregivers through 20 free programs and services. WWP's Alumni program, along with its Peer Support program, takes a high-touch approach to addressing the difficulties returning veterans can face with isolation. Through bonding and camaraderie with other injured service members through a wide range of events and activities, veterans can make progress at every stage of recovery and healing.

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