Mountain Climbing Fundraiser to Support Wounded Hero Holiday/Christmas Party at Walter Reed

Oct. 27, 2009 - PRLog -- Mountain Climbing Fundraiser Underway to Support Wounded Hero Holiday/Christmas Party at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Private Citizen, Tom O’Connell, to Climb Mt. Aconcagua to Fund Party

Cincinnati, OH, October 27, 2009

Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Washington DC is the first stop for many of America's returning wounded service members from Iraq and Afghanistan.  Known as "the amputee ward", the orthopedic Ward 57 at WRAMC houses some of the most severely injured patients for weeks or even months. The painful sacrifice of losing one or more limbs is the new battle these service members and their families now fight.  However, one man is making a difference to these brave men and women on their new trek.

Mr. Thomas O’Connell, a private citizen, is climbing Mt. Aconcagua the highest mountain in the Americas starting this November, to raise money for a Holiday/Christmas Party for the wounded heroes at Walter Reed and Ward 57 and their children.  “I would like to thank Mr. O’Connell and all who financially support this unique fundraiser,” said wounded soldier/leg amputee Sergeant Mike McNaughton (ret.). “Bringing holiday cheer to wounded heroes and their children at Walter Reed Army Medical Center will help in the recovery process – I know I was there.”

The money will be used for catering, holiday decor for: family room, nurses’ lounges, patients rooms, front desks of Ward 57 & 58, new toys and video games for use by all WRAMC wounded troops and their children. Gift bags will be distributed by Santa Claus. Any additional dollars will provide emergency financial aid for wounded heroes and their family members as well as emotional support outings.

“I've been blessed to live in the greatest country in the world and I have the opportunity to do amazing things, like climb Mt. Aconcagua,” said O’Connell, of the climb scheduled for Nov. 28 through Dec. 17. “Many brave, selfless and wonderful men and women have sacrificed, literally, everything to allow the freedom and ability to do these things. I just want to show them my gratitude and say thank you for all you do in some meaningful way.”

Citizens who want to make a tax deductible donation and sponsor Mr. O’Connell’s Holiday/Christmas Party climb may do so at www.impactahero.org.

Impact A Hero, a non-partisan 501(c) (3) organization, was created to provide a simple mechanism for individuals and corporations to help provide emotional and financial support for severely wounded and disabled veterans and their families.

Mr. Thomas O’Connell is President and Managing Principal of Senior Wealth Solutions, LLC, a New Jersey-based firm that specializes in working with retirees in all aspects of financial and wealth planning – www.seniorwealthsolutions.com.

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A non-profit established as a simple mechanism for indiviuals and businesses to support our severely wounded veterans back from Iraq and Afghanistan.