Z-line Designs Donates $20,000 For American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, And Marines

Oct. 7, 2009 - PRLog -- Jim and Monica Sexton of Z-Line Designs donated $20,000 to Operation Helmet for the provision of combat helmet upgrade kits to American troops in harm’s way.  Every penny of the donation was used to buy and send these kits to troops who have specifically asked for them.

The donation was a result of a NASCAR challenge at the “Rumble in Richmond” on September 11th, 2009 as part of the NASCAR Nationwide Racing Series.  This race pitted Jim’s Number 18 car driven by Kyle Busch supporting the “Racing for Kids” charity against Monica’s Number 20 car driven by Denny Hamlin supporting Operation Helmet.  This good natured completion resulted in the two cars taking the first two starting positions, and more importantly, provided much needed publicity and donations for both charities.

“The same day as the donation, we received a request from US troops asking if we could retrofit some 946 combat helmets before they headed into Afghanistan twelve days later”, said Dr Bob Meaders of Operation Helmet.  “This was a time-sensitive request because once they get in-country and move into combat outposts far out in the boonies, supplies may lag by a month or more. Thanks to the Sexton’s, we got on the horn and got the ball rolling right away.  Lives will be saved and missions made more efficient and tolerable using head armor that is protective as well as comfortable. Once again, Great Americans stand up when their Nation calls.”

“Monica and I are proud to be able to help in this small way and are gratified to see our fellow Americans keeping our troops in their hearts and minds as they fight to defend our way of life under terribly hard and dangerous conditions”, said Jim Sexton of Z-Line Designs

News from our military hospitals continue to show that head injury and brain damage from improvised explosive devices (IED’S) as the majority cause (75%) of death and disability in Iraq and Afghanistan. Taliban IED’s in Afghanistan have more than tripled in number lately, and they will undoubtedly continue the trend as the ‘surge’ of troops expands their combat roles in Afghanistan.

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Operation Helmet is a 100% volunteer, non-partisan, 501-c-3 charitable organization headquartered in Montgomery, Texas (near Houston) with volunteer operations around the country. The mission is to provide helmet upgrade kits free of charge to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as to those ordered to deploy in the near future. These helmet upgrades provide three primary things:
• Protection - Shock-absorbing pads keep the helmet from slapping the skull when hit with blast forces, fragments, or being tumbled along the ground or inside a vehicle. This decreases the chance of brain injury.
• Comfort - If it is comfortable, it will stay on troop's head longer and more often.
• Stability - Keeps the helmet firmly on the head and out of the eyes.
99.96% of all contributions are used to send upgrade kits to our troops! We have no salaries or payroll.