Overland Expo West-are you attending?

Overland Expo West is 5 weeks away!  One of Crossing America On Dirt sponsors is Overland Expo and their annual event located in Flagstaff, AZ is the premier overland event of the year.  I will have an exhibit booth in the motorcycle section.  Please come out and stop by to support Crossing America On Dirt and Wounded Warrior's Project.

At the Overland Expo booth I will have new merchandise, t-shirts, hats and stickers for those making donations to support Wounded Warrior Project.  If all goes well, visitors will be able to make donations either by cash or on-line at the booth.  100% of your donations go to Wounded Warrior Project.  The ride is 100% self funded with the help of the great in-kind sponsors (see their logos on the right side of the blog).

The financial goal to support WWP is $50,000.  Today we have met 25% of the goal!
A HUGE thank you to everyone that has made a donation to help those who have served our country!

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Peer Support

Our nation's service members place the highest trust in their fellow warriors in the battlefield. Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) support groups for veterans ensure that trust is strengthened long after military service has ended.

WWP peer support groups are lead by and designed for warriors who want to discuss personal challenges and lend support to one another. Veteran peer support groups can lead to new friendships, provide a renewed sense of community, strengthen bonds through shared experiences, and introduce new solutions to challenges. WWP can help warriors connect with fellow veterans and service members in their communities and overcome challenges as a team.

Your Donation helps fund these important WWP efforts.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Healing with a Paint Brush

Recently in the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Tampa, Florida office, wounded warrior Andrew

Larocca and artist Craig Todd worked together as this masterpiece took shape during art therapy. Andrew has participated in art therapy for several years now, assembling a small gallery of pieces at home and creating hope for his loved ones.

Andrew's father and caregiver Dave Truman said, "It is so much more than brush strokes. It feeds the brain. Andrew has gained so much confidence through art therapy. He hasn't been able to talk since his injury seven years ago, but he started vocalizing about three months ago. I strongly believe he is regaining some of his speech because of painting and music."

Independence programs work with wounded warriors, families, and caregivers to develop individual goals and a plan to accomplish them. The program connects warriors to their communities and meaningful activities, like art therapy, to aid in recovery.

To help support Wounded Warrior Project efforts, Donate now.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Support Line

WWP Talk: Veterans Mental Health Support Line

Making this call can be a positive step on a veteran's journey to healing. Having a consistent and reliable resource like WWP Talk, the Wounded Warrior Project veteran's mental health support line, can be invaluable. This non-clinical form of emotional support is provided weekly over the phone. During these calls, each veteran is offered a listening ear and a safe, non-judgmental outlet. The WWP professionally trained teammates help veterans build resilience, develop coping skills, and achieve goals to improve overall quality of life.

WWP Talk is available at no cost to warriors, family members, and caregivers registered with WWP and serves as a stepping-stone in the recovery process for many of them. While WWP Talk is a short-term program, it can provide long-term healing.

WWP Talk allows veterans to:

• Talk once a week at the same pre-established day and time
• Acquire new tools and coping skills to help build resiliency
• Learn to set and achieve goals
• Keep in touch until you're ready for the next stage of recovery

Please help support this and many other WWP programs by Donating Now.

With generous donations WWP can meet this years goal! DONATE what you can now!

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Pursuit of Financial Stability

The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) envisions a generation of recovering service men and women who are economically empowered. Individuals who are not unemployed or underemployed, but have opportunities to pursue a meaningful career or own their own business. WWP offers employment services that encourage economic empowerment for warriors which in turn provides long-term financial stability for themselves and their families. We can help in these efforts by making a donation now.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Reality after the Reunion

Today we shine a light on those brave men and women who gave of themselves to serve and protect our nation. This photo is a heartfelt reminder of just how very far away from home, family and all-things familiar our brave military members can be.

When a service member is wounded, ill or injured, the reality of these changes place tremendous stress on family members after the joy of the reunion subsides. Each family member is an integral part of a warrior's successful recovery. Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is dedicated to supporting not only the warriors but their families as well. The WWP team reaches out to family members and caregivers of warriors living with physical and/or mental health conditions to endure they receive the full range of support and benefits the WWP programs and services offer. Please help support our warriors. Donate Now.