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Veterans of Valor Mission Statement

Our mission is to assist and help service members who are severely wounded in combat by providing specific items, services, and programs to meet their needs and by promoting public awareness and utilizing community and public support.

Nondiscrimination

Within the class of disabled American veterans we serve, Veterans of Valor, Inc., will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, sex, disability, age, marital status, veteran’s status, or religion in admission to and participation in our programs.

About Us

Veterans of Valor was launched from the heart and experience of Cpl. Klay South after he was critically wounded November 11, 2004, during a spearhead into Fallujah, Iraq. While experiencing a lengthy recovery process of multiple surgeries, treatments, and therapies, Klay discovered that a minute could seem like an hour. Anticipating painful treatments and therapies only added to the anxiety of the whole new world of emotional turmoil, but he discovered that personal therapy through music, audio books, and PlayStation Portable® devices (PSPs) made the treatments and therapies less stressful.

Klay realized that other military Heroes recovering from combat wounds didn’t have the resources or support to have these personal therapy items. Although he shared his own items, the needs were too great for him to make a true difference by himself. Therefore, he founded Veterans of Valor, a nonprofit web-based organization, to supply these military Heroes with backpacks loaded with personal therapy items. This nonprofit organization also sponsors other programs, such as Hero Wishes. Veterans of Valor is Klay’s passionate mission to have a positive effect during the entire healing process.

Eligibility

U.S. military Heroes wounded in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) are eligible to participate in the Veterans of Valor programs. First, a qualified medical professional (usually a physician) states in writing that the combat-wounded military Hero needs at least 6 months of recovery or treatment time. Please note that it’s not necessary for the military Hero to wait six months before receiving benefits; a qualified medical professional may complete the written statement immediately after the wounded Hero begins treatment.

This written statement of medical eligibility must be sent to Veterans of Valor, along with a referral by a medical professional, U.S. Marine, U.S. Soldier, U.S. Sailor, U.S. Airman, parent, spouse, or child of a military Hero. Follow the easy instructions on the online Referral Form or contact Veterans of Valor for more information.

Find out more about how the program works at our Programs and Hero Wish web pages. You can also learn more at our FAQs web page.

Programs

Veterans of Valor offers two regular programs, Backpacks and Hero Wishes. We also offer limited Recreational Programs. But check back often, because our programs are expanding.

Backpacks

Each recipient receives a backpack that’s a lightweight, JanSport LiveWire™ audio backpack with built in controls for using an Apple iPod® without pulling it out of the backpack. The backpack also contains 2 large main compartments, outside twin mesh pockets, and an inside organizer to keep essentials handy. The backpack easily attaches to a wheelchair.

Each backpack is filled with the following items:

Apple iPod®: 30 GB, capable of saving 7,500 songs. Each iPod® is pre-loaded by Veterans of Valor staff with music, audio books, and movies. It’s easy to load personal preferences, too.

Sony PSP (PlayStation® Portable): Integrated handheld system designed to handle multiple applications, including games, video communication, wireless networking, and music. Enjoy 3-D games with full motion video and hi-fidelity audio that delivers amazing sounds.

Athletic Wear: Athletic suit includes break-away pants for easy care of lower torso and leg wounds. Matching jacket is comfortable, yet stylish. Cotton shorts and t-shirt are designed for practical and comfortable wear.

Patriotic Pillow: Perfect-size compact pillow from the official Patriotic Pillow Project encased in a handcrafted quilted pillow cover that features a replica of our nation’s flag. A thank you note of appreciation for the wounded military Hero is tucked in every pillowcase.

Bible: An NIV version of the Bible is included for guidance, encouragement, and help.

Hero Wishes

Hero Wishes are special gifts that are uniquely customized to match the wishes of a combat-wounded military Hero. A typical Hero Wish often involves the Hero’s family, friends, and community or neighbors. The Veterans of Valor organization has a three-step process to grant Hero Wishes.

Step 1. Eligibility and Referral:

First, a military Hero must follow the eligibility and referral requirements to register with Veterans of Valor. Refer to the Eligibility web page and follow the easy instructions on the online Referral Form or contact Veterans of Valor for more information.

To receive a Hero Wish, the military Hero recipient must have had a traumatic injury requiring 6 months or more of rehabilitation. Hero Wishes are for military Heroes who have not received other types of “wish” benefits.

Step 2. Finding the Hero Wish

After a military Hero is referred and meets the medical eligibility requirements, an enthusiastic, helpful Veterans of Valor team member learns the Hero’s one true wish. Our passionate volunteers connect with the Hero Wish and the military Hero to define the experience that will inspire and fulfill that Hero Wish.

Step 3. Delivering the Hero Wish

Veterans of Valor creates a meaningful and unforgettable experience driven by the wishes of the military Hero. It’s an incredible experience that enriches the military Hero, plus his or her family, community, and country.

If you’d like to refer a military Hero who lives in the Unites States, you may use our online Hero Wish Referral Form or contact Veterans of Valor.

Recreational Programs

Refer to the Veterans of Valor Participate web page to learn about Recreational Programs.

Veterans of Valor FAQs

1.What Is Veterans of Valor?
Veterans of Valor is a web-based organization committed to helping combat-wounded military Heroes make a positive transition from being wounded through their healing process. During hospital stays and therapy treatments, our goal is to promote physical, mental, and emotional healing.

2.What Inspired Veterans of Valor?
Veterans of Valor was launched from the heart and experience of Cpl. Klay South after he was critically wounded November 11, 2004, during a spearhead into Fallujah, Iraq. While experiencing a lengthy recovery process of multiple surgeries, treatments, and therapies, Klay discovered that a minute could seem like an hour. Anticipating painful treatments and therapies only added to the anxiety of the whole new world of emotional turmoil, but he discovered that personal therapy through music, audio books, and PlayStation Portable® devices (PSPs) made the treatments and therapies less stressful. Klay realized that other military Heroes recovering from combat wounds didn’t have the resources or support to have these personal therapy items. Although he shared his own items, the needs were too great for him to make a true difference by himself. Therefore, he founded Veterans of Valor, a nonprofit web-based organization, to supply these military Heroes with backpacks loaded with personal therapy items. This nonprofit organization also coordinates Hero Wishes. Veterans of Valor is Klay’s passionate mission to have a positive effect during the entire healing process.

3.Why Is Veterans of Valor Unique?
Veterans of Valor is unique because of the positive mental impact that military Heroes receive through the programs. As an example, the backpacks include LiveWire technology and Apple iPods®, which make it easy for military Heroes to enjoy music, and audio books, inspirational material. The PlayStation Portable® devices, or PSPs, help make the treatments and therapies less stressful. The athletic wear is designed for ease of wound care, such as the break-away pants. They’re comfortable and easy to clean, yet stylish enough to help a military Hero feel at ease while out in public.

4. What are the Benefits of Supporting Veterans of Valor?
Your donations support military Heroes who have been wounded while serving their country. Your support expresses the love, compassion, and care of the American people to these brave wounded Heroes.

5. How does Veterans of Valor Help Military Heroes Wounded in Combat?
Veterans of Valor assists wounded military Heroes by providing tangible support and items such as Apple iPods®, and Sony PSPs to ease the pain and suffering during treatments, surgeries, and therapies. Veterans of Valor also provides athletic wear that is practical for wound care.

6. How Does a Combat-Wounded Military Hero Qualify for the Programs of Veterans of Valor?
U.S. military Heroes wounded in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) are eligible to participate in the Veterans of Valor programs. First, a qualified medical professional (usually a physician) states in writing that the combat-wounded military Hero needs at least 6 months of recovery or treatment time. This written statement of medical eligibility must be sent to Veterans of Valor, along with a referral by a medical professional, U.S. Marine, U.S. Soldier, U.S. Sailor, U.S. Airman, parent, spouse, or child of a military Hero. Follow the easy instructions on the online Referral Form or contact Veterans of Valor for more information.

A Hero Wish is for military Heroes who have not received other types of “wish” benefits. Refer to our Hero Wish web page for more information.

7. Why Does a Military Hero have to be Referred to Veterans of Valor?
The benefits offered by Veterans of Valor are crucial in the recovery process, but the programs are designed to benefit military Heroes who need at least 6 months or more to recover from their combat wounds. The military maintains privacy and security standards that cannot be shared with Veterans of Valor, so we rely on medical professionals, military men and women, families, and friends to supply the names and necessary information for military Heroes.

8. How Does Veterans of Valor Work?
Generous donors provide funds for various programs that benefit combat-wounded military Heroes. As an example, we provide backpacks that include LiveWire technology, Apple iPods®, Sony PSPs, and necessary athletic items. Each iPod® is pre-loaded with music, movies, and motivational material.

9. Why Is It Important to Support a Military Hero?
When you share encouragement with a wounded military Hero through tangible items, you express love, care, and concern in a personal way.

10. How Many Men and Women are Currently on Active Military Duty?
The U.S. Department of Defense stated that there were 1,384,812 military Heroes on active duty in December, 2001. However, over 200,000 members of the Reserves and National Guard have been added to that number since 2001.

11. Can I Send Items Directly to Veterans of Valor?
Veterans of Valor is designed for monetary donations. However, contact us if you have a special idea.

12. Can My Company or Group Donate Products or Services to Veterans of Valor?
We love corporate sponsors! Please look at information on our Corporate Sponsors web page or contact us.

13. Can I Send Donations, Like Homemade Items or Food?
Veterans of Valor is designed for monetary donations. However, contact us if you have a special idea.

14. Is My Gift Tax-Deductible?
Yes! Veterans of Valor is an IRS-approved, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

15. What If I Don’t Know a Military Hero, But I Want to Show My Support?
Great! You can still show your appreciation and support through the Veterans of Valor. Your donations provide funds for our programs, including backpacks and Hero Wishes. Veterans of Valor staff work very hard to ensure that each combat-wounded military Hero meets our criteria to receive these benefits.

16. How Will I Know that You’ve Received My Donation?
Each donor receives a Thank You card from Veterans of Valor that includes the amount of the donation and the date.

17. Can I Communicate Directly with a Military Hero?
Security and privacy regulations prohibit the disclosure of the military Hero’s identity. However, you can send a personal card or letter to Veterans of Valor with your good wishes, concerns, encouragement, and prayers and we’ll forward or hand-deliver your messages to a military Hero.

18. Can I Make a Donation to a Specific Military Hero?
Veterans of Valor cannot guarantee that your donation will be used for a specific military Hero. However, you can make an Honorarium donation to acknowledge a special loved one.

19. Can Groups Participate?
Yes! We make it easy for groups, companies, and organizations to donate funds to Veterans of Valor – but we also have opportunities for service opportunities. Contact Veterans of Valor for more information.

20. Can I Get a Pen Pal through Veterans of Valor?
Veterans of Valor maintains high privacy standards, so identities cannot be shared. However, we accept letters, cards, and well-wishes that will be forwarded or hand-delivered to combat-wounded military Heroes.

21. How Do I Know My Gift Will Go to Someone Who Needs It?
Veterans of Valor works closely with medical professionals to ensure that our programs will benefit those combat-wounded military Heroes who face long-term recovery and treatment periods. A written statement of medical eligibility must be sent to Veterans of Valor, along with a referral by a medical professional, U.S. Marine, U.S. Soldier, U.S. Sailor, U.S. Airman, parent, spouse, or child of a military Hero. Take a look at our online Referral Form or contact Veterans of Valor for more information.

22. Can I Send a Donation on Behalf of Someone Else or As an Honorarium?
Yes, refer to our Honorarium web page.

23. Can I Send a Message or Card?
Yes. A message or card is important to express care and concern for combat-wounded military Heroes. Veterans of Valor maintains high privacy standards, so identity cannot be shared. However, we accept letters, cards, and well-wishes that will be forwarded or hand-delivered to combat-wounded military Heroes.

24. What’s Available in the Veterans of Valor eStore?
Currently, we offer t-shirts and golf shirts with the Veterans of Valor logo. Please put our website on your Favorites bar and visit often, we’ll be adding more products soon.

25. What if I Already Know a Wounded Military Hero? Can I Send My Gift Directly to Him or Her?
At this time, Veterans of Valor cannot ensure that your specific military Hero will receive your donation. However, all qualifying military Heroes who are referred to Veterans of Valor will be eligible to receive benefits. When you donate through our Honorarium web page, you are identified you as the donor, and your specific military Hero is the person who is honored.

26. Is Veterans of Valor Associated with the United States Government or Any Other Organization?
No, Veterans of Valor is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation founded by Klay South, a United States Marine. It is not associated with the United States government or any other organization.

Veterans of Valor Referral Form

I wish to refer a combat-wounded military Hero to receive benefits from Veterans of Valor. I certify that this Hero served during Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. I understand that the information I provide will be available to staff at Veterans of Valor. I also understand that someone from Veterans of Valor will contact me for additional information, including a written statement from a qualified medical professional regarding the long-term recovery of this combat-wounded military Hero.

I also understand that referring a military Hero to Veterans of Valor does not guarantee that the Hero will receive benefits from the programs or services.

* = required information

Hero Wishes Referral Form

* = required information

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