Wounded Warrior Project Introduces Veterans to Footgolf at Connection Event

CLERMONT, Fla., March 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Imagine the high-level activity of soccer paired with the precision of golf, and there you have the hybrid outdoor sport known as footgolf. Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) recently introduced veterans and their family members to the game. As they challenged themselves with a new physical activity, participants connected with fellow service members and experienced the benefits of interacting with their community.

Dividing into teams, warriors and their families headed to the greens to start the competition. With rules similar to golf, players quickly got the gist of the game and tried to kick regulation soccer balls into 21-inch diameter holes in as few shots as possible.

"With the chance to get outside and try something fun and new, this seemed like the perfect event for a daddy and daughter day," said Navy veteran Travis Welte. "We both enjoyed ourselves, and I was able to meet and connect with other veterans in my area."

These connection activities support the recovery needs of wounded veterans by reintroducing them and their families to the bonds experienced during military service. In a WWP survey of the injured warriors it serves, more than half of survey respondents (51.7 percent) talked with fellow veterans to address their mental health issues, and 29.6 percent expressed physical activity helps. Gatherings like this highlight the importance of managing mental health through physical activity and connecting with other veterans.

WWP staff interacted with attendees throughout the afternoon, advising them of additional programs and services to support their recoveries. WWP offers a variety of programs that assist injured veterans with mental health, physical health and wellness, career and benefits counseling, and connecting with other warriors and their communities. Generous donors make it possible for wounded warriors to take part in outreach activities and benefit from program resources at no cost to them.

"Wounded Warrior Project makes veterans like me feel supported," Travis said. "And warrior interaction goes a long way in our recoveries."

To learn and see more about how WWP's programs and services connect, serve, and empower wounded warriors, visit http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/, and click on multimedia.

About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) connects, serves, and empowers wounded warriors. Read more at http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/about-us.

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project