WASHINGTON, June 18, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- Paralyzed veterans, their caregivers and families, business
leaders, military and government officials took to the fairways
today at The Golf Club at Lansdowne to raise funds for Paralyzed
Veterans of America's Paving Access for Veterans Employment (PAVE)
program.
The 11th annual Paralyzed Veterans Golf Open (PVGO) was hosted
by Agility Defense & Government Services. This year's
tournament raised more than $275,000
for the PAVE program.
"Veterans with disabilities face many challenges finding
civilian employment, which is why Paralyzed Veterans of America is
proud to offer our PAVE program," said David Zurfluh, a disabled Air Force veteran, and
national president of Paralyzed Veterans of America. "Thanks to
Agility and many other supporters of this annual golf tournament,
we've been able to help veterans, their spouses and caregivers find
meaningful careers for the last 11 years."
Since its inception in 2007, the PVGO has raised more than
$4 million and dedicated 100% of
those funds to Paralyzed Veterans of America's PAVE program, which
provides free, vocational counseling and job placement assistance
to any veteran, active duty service member, spouse or caregiver
across the country. More than 5,000 veterans and military
caregivers have been positively impacted through the PAVE program's
personalized training and assistance.
"Every year, the golf tournament attracts a large crowd who are
dedicated to helping PAVE, and that has impacted the lives of many
veterans, their caregivers and families," said Rich Brooks, president of Agility Defense &
Government Services, LLC and a retired Army colonel. "We are always
glad to support the PAVE program because it provides more
assistance and case work than most other programs are able to
offer."
Veterans who have worked with PAVE counselors and attended
today's event included:
Russell T.
Bridges
Russell is an Army National Guard veteran and
currently resides in Louisville,
KY with his wife and three children. While deployed in 2004,
he was injured at the age of 23 and subsequently out of the
workforce for thirteen years. Russell became a member of Paralyzed
Veterans of America and worked with the PAVE program, where his
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor helped guide him through the
process of becoming a National Service Officer for Paralyzed
Veterans of America.
Rita Vanhavermaet
Rita
is a 36 year old Marine veteran radio operator and a single mother
of two. She became a PAVE client by referral from the Minneapolis
VA's Transition Unit. Rita's first position through PAVE was a
transition job with a bakery. Rita then received a job working
part-time at Xceed Company and was promoted to a full-time engineer
position with the company.
During the PVGO Awards Program held in the evening, the
Phil Halcomb Memorial "Patriot
Award" was given in honor of the late Phil
Halcomb. Phil, a double amputee, dedicated the last four
years of his life supporting Paralyzed Veterans of America and was
instrumental in raising over $320,000
in support of the PAVE program. This year's Patriot Award was given
to Dale Cottongim, President of
SNTC, for his untiring efforts supporting the PVGO and PAVE.
To learn more about the PAVE program, visit
www.pva.org/veterans-employment.
**Pictures from this year's event will be available at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paralyzedveterans/albums
About Paralyzed Veterans of America
Paralyzed Veterans
of America is the only congressionally chartered veterans service
organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of
veterans with spinal cord injury or disease. For more than 70
years, we have ensured that veterans have received the benefits
earned through their service to our nation; monitored their care in
VA spinal cord injury units; and funded research and education in
the search for a cure and improved care for individuals with
paralysis.
As a partner for life, Paralyzed Veterans of America also
develops training and career services, works to ensure
accessibility in public buildings and spaces, provides health and
rehabilitation opportunities through sports and recreation and
advocates for veterans and all people with disabilities. With more
than 70 offices and 33 chapters, Paralyzed Veterans of America
serves veterans, their families and their caregivers in all 50
states, the District of Columbia
and Puerto Rico.
About Agility
Agility brings efficiency to
supply chains in some of the globe's most challenging environments,
offering unmatched personal service, a global footprint and
customized capabilities in developed and developing economies
alike. Agility is one of the world's leading providers of
integrated logistics. It is a publicly traded company with over
$5 billion in revenue and more than
22,000 employees in 500 offices across 100 countries.
Agility's core commercial business, Global Integrated Logistics
(GIL), provides supply chain solutions to meet traditional and
complex customer needs. GIL offers air, ocean and road freight
forwarding, warehousing, distribution, and specialized services in
project logistics, fairs and events, and chemicals. Agility's
Infrastructure group of companies manages industrial real estate
and offers logistics-related services, including e-government
customs optimization and consulting, waste management and
recycling, aviation and ground-handling services, support to
governments and ministries of defense, remote infrastructure and
life support.
For more information about Agility, please visit
www.agility.com.
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SOURCE Paralyzed Veterans of America