OVERALL WINNING ENTRY
$15,000 AWARD

“Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation”
Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation, Denver, Colorado

Through their program, the Sentinels of Freedom Foundation connects permanently disabled service members with caring communities, who assist them with housing, transportation, employment, mentoring and ongoing support. The four year program supports the individuals, allowing time to adapt to new physical challenges and surroundings. Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation creates a link between the enormous need for practical, cost-effective self-sufficiency services; and the generosity and creativity of everyday citizens around the nation. For further information, contact: Mike Conklin (mconklin@sentinelsoffreedom.org)

$10,000 AWARDS

“Specialized Equipment Program”
Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, Camp Pendleton, California

The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund’s Specialized Equipment Program purchases a wide range of equipment to help improve the quality of life of our injured service members. The Fund works with injured service members and their medical caregivers to identify and purchase equipment that would have a dramatic impact on their quality of life, including upgrading visual enhancement devices, orthopedic mattress, and specialized computer hardware. For further information, contact: Karen Guenther (kgsemperfifund@mac.com)

“A Warrior’s Wish”
Hope for the Warriors, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

A Warrior’s Wish Program grants wishes to severely injured service members in an effort to restore hope in the eye of a hero. Beyond meeting immediate physical and emotional needs, the program fulfills a desire for quality of life beyond recovery and a quest for life-gratifying endeavors, whether it is realizing a dream to go hunting, ride a bike again, or own a home adapted to special needs. For further information, contact: Robin Kelleher (robin@hopeforthewarriors.org)

$5,000 AWARDS

“Wheels for Warriors”
Operation Support Our Troops, North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Operation Support Our Troops' Wheels for Warriors program purchases and customizes vans to the specific needs of disabled service members who have been severely injured in Iraq or Afghanistan who otherwise would not be able to afford a specialized vehicle. Wheels for Warriors vans offer freedom and independence, allowing individuals to keep medical appointments and interact within their community, while easing their financial burden. For further information, contact: Mary Kay Salomone (mksalomone@cox.net)

“Family Support Program”
Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, Camp Pendleton, California

The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund’s Family Support Program provides financial assistance to Marines who are injured in combat and training and to their families to help defray the expenses incurred during hospitalization, rehabilitation, and recovery. The goal of this program is to alleviate the financial stress placed on the family so that their focus can be on their loved one’s recovery and to keep the family from becoming overburdened with debt. For further information, contact: Karen Guenther (kgsemperfifund@mac.com)

“Operation VALOUR IT”
Soldiers' Angels, San Antonio, TX

Operation VARLOUR IT at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio is operated by Soldier’s Angels. The organization works with the Department of Defense Computer Assistance Program (CAP) to provide specialized wireless laptops and training to the severely injured service members at BAMC. For further information, contact: Lt. Col. James Riley (Ret) (soldiersangelstx@aol.com)

“Operation VALOUR IT”
Soldiers' Angels, Pasadena, California

Operation VALOUR IT is the national program operated by Soldier’s Angels. Soldier’s Angels works with the Department of Defense Computer Assistance Program (CAP) to provide specialized wireless laptops and training to the severely injured service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center, and other major military medical centers. For further information, contact: Lynette Frascella (LDFnjSA@comcast.net)

“Wounded Family Assistance Program”
Operation First Response, Inc., Culpeper, Virginia

Operation First Response, Inc. supports families with one-time grants of up to $750 through the Wounded Family Assistance Program, to alleviate immediate financial crisis for families of seriously injured service members. For further information, contact: Peggy Baker (info@operationfirstresponse.org)

“Operation Vet Tech”
The Volunteer Center of RI Capitol Region RSVP, Providence, Rhode Island

The Volunteer Center of RI Capitol Region RSVP supports a self-sustaining computer lab at the Providence VA Medical Center to offer technical training to active duty military, veterans, and their families, and to restore the capabilities of injured service members returning from Operation Enduring Freedom. The center will focus on teaching computer skills and training volunteers to provide a "Vet to Vet" experience that will improve quality of life. For further information, contact: Susan Contreras ( susan@capitalregionrsvp.org )

“Life Transformed”
Life Transformed, Harker Heights, Texas

Life Transformed provides credited training and education, classes, small business opportunities, educational materials, computers, and mentors for care givers of and war wounded service members. For further information, contact: Colleen Saffron (csaffron@lifetransformed.org)

“Wounded Warrior Wives”
Operation Homefront - Texas, Fort Sam Houston, Texas

The Wounded Warrior Wives of Texas supports the needs of the escalating number of wounded military personal returning from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Supported by the local chapter of Operation Homefront, a nationally recognized military non-profit, the program will offer military families funds for day care, meals, transportation, and professional facilitators to build the morale of spouses of seriously wounded and injured service members. For further information, contact: Karla B. Ayala (texas@operationhomefront.net)