Wounded Warrior Project Brings Veterans to Farm for Family Fun
STURTEVANT, Wis., Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 80 injured veterans and their family members enjoyed the Midwestern autumn with Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) during a recent trip to Apple Holler farm. The group took part in a variety of outdoor activities while connecting with fellow warriors and forging new friendships.
The group piled into three tractor cars for a ride through the farm's Enchanted Forest, which led everyone to a bonfire site. There, they bonded over roasted hot dogs, s'mores, and hot cider. After lunch, veterans and their families spent time in the corn maze, at the petting zoo, and competing in apple-picking races at the orchard.
"This was a great event to be a part of," said Army veteran Jane Pham. "It was very relaxing, and I loved that it was outdoors – my family really enjoyed it."
Socializing with other veterans at outreach activities can help injured warriors cope with stress and emotional concerns. Isolation can be detrimental to the healing process, and it can be difficult knowing how to overcome that challenge and rekindle bonds similar to those formed in the military. In a WWP survey of the injured warriors it serves, more than half of survey respondents (51.7 percent) talked with fellow Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn veterans to address their mental health concerns.
WWP teammates accompanied families throughout the evening, closely interacting with them and advising them of additional services to assist in their recovery processes. The programs assist injured veterans with mental health, physical health and wellness, career and benefits counseling, and connecting with other warriors and their communities. These program resources are offered to wounded warriors free of charge thanks to the generosity of donors.
"It's great for warriors and their family members to participate in Wounded Warrior Project gatherings like this because it gets us out with others who have experienced similar things," Jane said. "But most importantly, it allows wounded veterans to be closer to their friends. That sense of community is so crucial."
To learn more about how WWP's programs and services are making an impact on the lives of wounded warriors, visit https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/. To find photos from this event, click on multimedia, then images, then the warrior connection and outreach section.
About Wounded Warrior Project
We Connect, Serve, and Empower
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP connects wounded warriors and their families to valuable resources and one another, serves them through a variety of free programs and services, and empowers them to live life on their own terms. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161205/445498
SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project