Wounded Warrior Project Hosts Families for Boo at the Zoo
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Wounded Warrior Project Hosts Families for Boo at the Zoo
NEW ORLEANS (Nov. 29, 2016) – More than 130 injured veterans and family members had a frighteningly good time with Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) at Audubon Zoo. The group enjoyed a variety of Halloween activities in the presence of wild animals at the Boo at the Zoo gathering.
“My husband and I have four children, so we figured Boo at the Zoo would be a perfect event for us,” said Christine McNabb, whose husband served in the Air Force. “I really enjoyed seeing all of the families dressed up in their Halloween costumes – and I loved seeing the joy on my kids’ faces.”
Costumed children of wounded warriors enjoyed trick-or-treat houses, live entertainment, and rides on the Ghost Train. Parents had the opportunity to connect with other injured veterans from their local community.
“It’s great to attend WWP events and bond like family,” said Navy veteran Montreal Bowens. “Post-traumatic stress disorder can cause you to become detached from everyone at times.”
Social isolation can be detrimental to the healing process – particularly for warriors who are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other invisible wounds of war. Outreach activities and socializing with other veterans can help injured warriors cope with stress and emotional concerns. 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 issues.
WWP team members accompanied families throughout the evening, closely interacting with them and advising them of additional services to assist in their recovery process. These program resources are available to wounded warriors free of charge thanks to generous donors.
“It is really important for injured veterans to take part in WWP veteran family support activities like these,” Christine said. “There are a lot of days filled with sadness, so it is always nice to have something joyful to experience with others who can relate.”
To learn more about how WWP’s programs and services are making an impact on the lives of wounded warriors, visit http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/.
Contact: Rob Louis – Public Relations
Email: RLouis@woundedwarriorproject.org
Phone: 904.627.0432
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.
