Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Valour-IT


FbL at Fuzzilicious Thinking has been talking about Valour-IT for a while now. She is trying to get the word out for donations for a really important program for the soldiers. This is a program that brings voice-activated computers to the troops recovery from hand and arm injuries. It allows them to do normal activities despite their temporary or permanent disabilities. I cannot say how important it is to feel normal when the rest of your life is so far from normal! Here is some of FbL's post, but please go and read the rest it really is important.
...But we can't do that for another soldier. Valour-IT is out of money. The coffers are empty.

What then do we tell that soldier lying in bed trying to come to grips with the tremendous psychological and physical challenges he faces? Do we tell him, "Sorry, we just don’t have the money? We’ll try to raise some more money in the spring, when people don’t have donor fatigue? In the meantime, just lay there for a few more months, feeling like you have no control over your life, dependent in every single way and cut off from most everyone except people who walk into your hospital room or are willing to hold a phone to your ear so you can communicate with those you care about?"

I don’t know about you, but that thought nearly breaks my heart. As I sit typing this, there are wounded soldiers who could benefit so much from a Valour-IT laptop. But we can’t do anything about that until we get some more donations...
The Valour-IT program was founded by Soldiers' Angels and more information can be found there.

I understand having "donor fatigue". My family's going through a rough financial stretch ourselves, but anything will help. I gave what I could and I am posting this hoping to help get the word out. Let's give back to the soldiers who have given so much.

UPDATE: FbL just informed me that tomorrow is the team kick off fundraiser. You can join the different teams to see who can raise the most money. The team leaders are Greyhawk from Mudville Gazette-Air Force, Black Five-Army, and Soldiers' Angels-Holly Aho for the Marines. A team leader for Navy is still needed! So follow the link to your favorite military branch and donate!!

UPDATE 2: TTLB has a post about this worthy cause as well. Go, join a team, donate!

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