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NASCAR Drivers Team up with Paralyzed Veterans of America

To Promote Mission: ABLE Campaign

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 18, 2011) – Paralyzed Veterans of America announced today that in addition to honorary spokesperson, Richard Petty, NASCAR drivers: AJ Allmendinger, Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Martin Truex Jr. will join together to help promote Paralyzed Veterans of America’s (Paralyzed Veterans) Mission: ABLE campaign.

Paralyzed Veterans National President, Bill Lawson said, "We are pleased to have these NASCAR drivers supporting our mission. With their help, we will be able to continue changing the lives of our wounded heroes."

On the track these drivers are fierce competitors, but off the track they will all take part in raising support and awareness so that America’s wounded heroes can get what they need most; care, benefits and jobs.

Richard Petty, a long time supporter of Paralyzed Veterans said, "It is the right thing to do. We need to help however we can to raise money and awareness so that our military and veterans can live the lives they deserve."

Driver for Richard Petty Motorsports, AJ Allmendinger, said, "The King really sets an example with the good work he does for so many worthy causes. It is an honor to stand with him and represent Paralyzed Veterans. We are all going to work together to help in any way we can."

The first corporate partner from the NASCAR community to come on board and accept the mission is Food City. In over 90 Food City stores from now until the March Food City 500 Bristol race, customers will be able to donate $1, $3, or $5 at the register to support the Mission: ABLE campaign. Additionally, a donation by Food City will be made to Paralyzed Veterans for any of Food City’s exclusive brand items that are sold during the campaign.

Martin Truex Jr., said, "We are all so lucky to live in America, and we have our soldiers and veterans to thank for that freedom. The Paralyzed Veterans are an amazing organization that does so many things for those men and women that keep us safe."

About Paralyzed Veterans of America Paralyzed Veterans of America has launched Mission: ABLE (www.mission-able.com) a campaign to enlist all Americans —citizens, communities and corporations—to help our paralyzed heroes fully live the lives they deserve and to receive what they need most: care, benefits and jobs. And for more than 64 years, Paralyzed Veterans and our 34 chapters have been working to create an America where all veterans and people with disabilities, and their families, have everything they need to thrive. We represent thousands of veterans in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Volunteer for the 2011 National Veterans Wheelchair Games

Next year’s National Veterans Wheelchair Games, celebrating the talents and tenacity of our nation’s brave heroes, will be held in Pittsburgh, PA, from Aug. 1-6, 2011. It’s the largest annual wheelchair sporting event in the world, and volunteers play a critical role: assisting in the events; serving meals; handing out water, towels and ice; and escorting veterans.

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering for the 2011 Games, you can now register on the Pittsburgh VA Health Care System website. Get started today by clicking the link below.

Volunteer for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games August 2011 in Pittsburgh »

Questions?
Contact Richard Kiehn, volunteer coordinator, at 412-954-4582 or richard.kiehn@va.gov.

The 2010 Americana Gala

On Tuesday, October 19, Paralyzed Veterans of America will host its Americana Gala at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC. The gala is an inspirational fundraising event celebrating individual, corporate and public-sector friends who have supported Paralyzed Veterans, helping millions of courageous veterans and people with disabilities.

Gala honorees have championed quality of life for all people with disabilities. They include Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell, DEKA Research and Development founder Dean Kamen, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and the creators of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

The 2010 Americana Gala will focus on the profound impact Paralyzed Veterans of America has on the lives of people with spinal cord injury and introduce the MISSION: ABLE campaign, which helps our heroes receive what they need most: care, benefits and jobs.

Find out more about the 2010 Americana Gala »

October Is National Disability Employment Awareness Month!

“Talent Has No Boundaries” – that’s the official theme for October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and at Paralyzed Veterans of America, we work hard to remove barriers that hold back people with disabilities from pursuing rewarding employment. NDEAM reminds the public that workers with disabilities represent a diverse and vibrant talent pool for hire. Communities nationwide have planned special events to promote workforce diversity that includes workers with disabilities, some of which will continue all year. Events include proclamations, public awareness programs, and job fairs showcasing the skills and talents of workers with disabilities.

Find out more about National Disability Employment Awareness Month »

Learn more about Paralyzed Veterans' advocacy efforts for disability employment »