WISHING WELL HONORS AMVETS FOR SUPPORT TO HOMELESS VETS

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2007—Wishing Well, Inc. honored AMVETS with a national organization award during the first annual “Veterans, Forever Soldiers” benefit on Saturday, Feb. 9 at Prince George’s Ballroom in Landover, Md.

Wishing Well Inc. is an upstart non-profit organization looking to serve the needs of homeless veterans in Prince George’s County and the Washington Metro area. AMVETS, a proud supporter of Wishing Well, Inc., is committed to helping the budding organization with a variety of programs to assist homeless veterans. AMVETS Executive Director Jim King accepted the award on behalf of AMVETS.

“Over the years, AMVETS has worked tirelessly on the Hill and in the community, pushing to help our homeless and at-risk veterans,” King said. “We’re happy to be working work with Wishing Well, Inc. to make sure the support structures are in place for our veterans in the Washington Metro area.”

Proceeds from the event will help Wishing Well, Inc. launch a variety of outreach programs, including a veterans’ service center in Hyattsville, Md., where homeless veterans could receive a variety of services including crisis intervention counseling, meals, showers, computer access, and a place to receive mail. Wishing Well, Inc. also hopes to distribute cold weather provisions, such as sleeping bags to area veterans in need. Wishing Well, Inc. President Judith McDonald was happy with the support she received for the benefit.

“The event was very successful,” McDonald said. “We had great support from the community and created some interest from other organizations in the area, looking to become involved to provide quality care for our veterans that they so well deserve.”

In the coming months, Wishing Well, Inc. also hopes to launch “Mission H.O.M.E., U.S.A.” This comprehensive program seeks to provide supportive services and emergency/transitional housing to homeless and traumatized veterans, operating on a referral basis from the Department of Veterans Affairs, state and local agencies, and homeless shelters.

To learn more about Wishing Well, Inc. or to become involved visit www.wishingwelloutreach.org.

About AMVETS:    
A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community services that enhance the quality of life for this nation’s citizens. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organizations in the United States, and includes members from each branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves.

About Wishing Well, Inc.:
Wishing Well, Inc. received its non-profit 501 (c) (3) status in December 2006. The organization seeks to serve the needs of homeless veterans, veterans challenged with combat stress or post traumatic stress disorder and their families within the DC Metro area.

Media Contact:
National
Communications Director
Jay Agg
(301) 683-4035
jagg@amvets.org

National
Media Specialist
Ryan Gallucci
(301)683-4073
rgallucci@amvets.org