2006 Veteran’s Day Valour-IT Fund Drive – Part I
Sign up your blog to support Valour-IT HERE!
Valour-IT – Laptops for Wounded Troops with Voice Software
It’s almost he month in which we celebrate those who have put on a uniform of the Armed Forces of the United States and defended our country.
This year, as last year at this time, the MilBlogging community “virtually” gathered to care for their own, in particular, those who have suffered wounds in the War on Terror that have left them unable to communicate in the normal manner so many of they, and us have become accustomed to: Via typing their thoughts and greetings into a computer.
Technology has an answer for this type of disability and beginning in 2005, individuals stepped up to the plate to solve this problem by supplying our wounded warriors with laptop computers and vioce activated software, that overcomes the disabling injuries that have rendered the fingers of these men and women unusable.
The genesis of the project was an Army Captain, Chuck Ziegenfuss, who had been MilBlogging before he was wounded in an IED attack, and discussions with Beth, another blogger and plain old American citizen and school teacher with a heart to do something, from Fuzzilicious Thinking, who put their heads together and kicked this off. It’s a testimony about those who complain vs. those who just get it done. Beth and Soldier’s Angels have now supplied, with the generocity of people from around the world, over 500 laptops. Quite an accomplishment for not working this program for even two years.
The name given to this charity is “Valour-IT,” and as last year, we dedicate the days from now until November 11th as a period to solicit and gather funds to put more systems into the possession of those who have served and now are in need of our help to attempt to restore their ability to use computers to communicate with their friends, family and in the business world.
If you’re not familiar with this project, here is the link to the site where you can find the legitimacy, the history, who is supporting this program in the business world, and testimonies, as well as the link to donate.
for some detailed info on exactly how the Valour-IT laptops are helping the wounded, read this post from Beth, titled “More than a Laptop.”
If you’re familiar with Valour-IT, I ask for your support in spreading the word, telling the story, and checking with the person who controls the purse strings in your household to determine the level of funding you’re able to provide.
I plan to email my contacts, asking the same from them. for those who have a areas where you can post hard copy notices, here is a link to 8 flyers already made up publicize Valour-IT. Print out a few and hang them in full view of youe workmates.
I will endeavor to post the statuss of the fund collections daily, as they are available from the blogs where they are doing the central accounting. We will ask you to decide which service you will donate under, but…in the long run, it matters not, except to provide some of us with the bragging rights if “our” service bests the others.
Update: Black Five, about the biggest MilBlogger there is, has his kick off post up here! Other service team leaders are listed there, but…send your $$$ to the troops thru the Navy button! (Coasties welcomed here!)
Want to play? Sign your blog up here.
Script to add the donation meter is (remove the double quotaion marks from around the first and last “carets” to make the scripting function):
“< "script src="http://www.donationbooster.com/booster/showbutton.php?i=63&item=5&width=70&direction=Vertical&showtop5=No&showgraph=Yes&background=FFFFFF&graph1=FF0066&graph2=990000&text=000000&link=990000&fsize=2&fface=Arial&border=1&bordercolor=000000">“
Trackbacked at:
Linkfest Haven, Mark My Words, The Bullwinkle Blog, Cao’s Blog, Bright & Early, Jo’s Cafe, Clash of Civilizations, ,
Crossposted at:
Third World County
Categories: Blogging, Charities, Military, Open Trackbacks, Supporting the Troops, Technology, Valour-IT
Hey Captain,
Where do we get the code to add the donation button to our sites? The Marines are already showing $50,000!!!
by seawitch on Oct 30, 2006 at 7:08 am
I tried doing it that way earlier. It will not keep the donation screen for the Navy team. It reverts back to the PayP{al home page.
by seawitch on Oct 30, 2006 at 8:35 am
The script is at the end of the post. Let me make sure it works…it does…and then takes you to the team page at the Valour-IT site….
Thanks for the push early in the game…
by xformed on Oct 30, 2006 at 8:41 am
We Support our Troops
Usually found as part of a yellow ribbon magnet on the back of the duty minivan/SUV…well folks, here’s chance to put some meat behind those words. Between now and 11 Nov, the MilBlogging community is soliciting/gathering funds for the Valour-IT pro…
by The Steeljaw Scribe on Oct 30, 2006 at 9:06 am
Thanks!!
by seawitch on Oct 30, 2006 at 9:08 am
A Worthy Cause
I just joined this blog to the Project Valour-IT fund drive. As the website says:
Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, provides voice-controlled laptop computers to wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from ha…
by Random Thoughts Of Yet Another Military Member on Oct 30, 2006 at 1:12 pm
Voice Activated Laptops for OUr Injured Troops
The VALOUR-IT project, in which I participated last year, is starting up its annual drive in preparation for Veteran’s Day. The project, which has so far provided 650 laptops to troops injured in combat, is well worth your time, energy, and mone ……
by Smadanek on Oct 30, 2006 at 3:20 pm
Halloween : Less Pagan, More Money-Makin’
It has become an American holiday, just like Thanksgiving. And, although the holiday is often shunned by members of the Jewish Elite, who scorn the thought of coming within five feet of a jack-o-lantern, I don’t see any harm in one of our nation’s gr…
by The Clash of Civilizations on Oct 30, 2006 at 4:49 pm
Ahoy There!
It’s that time of year!! Last year, the NAVY, Marines, Army, and Air Force teams raised over $80,000 for Project VALOUR-IT.
by Thoughts by Seawitch on Oct 30, 2006 at 5:01 pm
From my heart
Thank you all for your work and generosity.
Patti Bader
by Patti Bader on Oct 30, 2006 at 8:14 pm
Support PSA
(Click the Pic) Stay Connected Have you done your part? My family and I use Books for Soldiers a great way to get started and put some teeth in that “Support The Troops” bumper sticker you are sporting. We…
by American Dinosaur on Oct 30, 2006 at 8:38 pm
Pumpkin Faces
When I was a boy Halloween was an entire season, as long as Summer and more colorful than Christmas. A childhood holiday filled with orange and brown, yellow and amber, pumpkins and Autumn leaves, bright moons and starry nights. Going out in costume …
by Planck's Constant on Oct 30, 2006 at 9:40 pm
Project Valor IT
Project Valour-IT
(Voice-Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops)
In memory of SFC William V. ZiegenfussÂ
There are many Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines in Military hospitals like Walter Reed & Bethesda that need and would greatly app…
by Morning Coffee on Oct 31, 2006 at 12:56 am
Project Valor IT
Project Valour-IT
(Voice-Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops)
In memory of SFC William V. ZiegenfussÂ
There are many Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines in Military hospitals like Walter Reed & Bethesda that need and would greatly app…
by Morning Coffee on Oct 31, 2006 at 12:56 am
Project Valour IT: The Few, The Loud, The Marines!
Marines, lovers of Marines, and those who wish they could be Marines (IOW, the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard), listen up! It’s time to do what the Marine Corps does best: shake, rattle, roll and make some noise:…
by Villainous Company on Nov 9, 2006 at 3:33 pm