SCHENECTADY, New York – Hannaford Supermarkets today announced a $50,000 donation to Wounded Warrior Project, a national non-profit organization dedicated to assisting injured military service members through unique programs and services to fit their needs.
Officials from Hannaford were joined by military service members at the Navy Operational Support Center in Glenville, NY to announce the large-scale donation, which was generated through the “Hannaford Believe in Heroes” program in partnership with Acosta.
“The servicemen and women of our country make enormous sacrifices to protect our freedoms each day. All of us at Hannaford are honored to support those who so selflessly dedicate their lives to serving our country through this donation to Wounded Warrior Project,” said Hannaford Supermarkets Community Relations Specialist Brian Fabre. “We are proud to provide funds to support the vital programs and services offered to injured veterans through this nationally renowned and highly respected organization.”
Warrior Speak spokesperson and Army National Guard Specialist (Ret.) Jason Brasse accepted the donation on behalf of Wounded Warrior Project. Brasse was injured while deployed in Iraq in 2005 when an improvised explosive device blew shrapnel into his right leg just below his knee. Facing the threat of losing his leg, Brasse underwent 13 surgeries and was told he may never be able to walk again.
Brasse received support from Wounded Warrior Project over the course of his seven-year journey towards recovery. He currently has 95 percent mobility in his leg, lives an active lifestyle and serves as a peer mentor with Wounded Warrior Project.
“I’ve been touched by Wounded Warrior Project in so many ways – from the initial interaction with them when I was given my WWP backpack in the hospital to the genuine support I received through staff interaction and programming. The support I received brought me from the brink of suicide to almost complete recovery,” said Braase. “WWP support is directly improving lives by providing exactly what our warriors and their caregivers need. For me, I needed a purpose, and being a peer mentor gave me the opportunity to be there for other warriors just like my mentor was for me.”
The mission and purpose of Wounded Warrior Project is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.
Wounded Warrior Project currently serves more than 63,000 warriors and nearly 9,000 family members through its 20 unique programs and services. WWP is a national organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.
For more information about Wounded Warrior Project, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
About Hannaford Supermarkets
Hannaford Supermarkets, based in Scarborough, Maine, operates 186 stores in the Northeast. Stores are located in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. All Hannaford stores feature Guiding Stars, America’s first storewide nutrition navigation system and most stores have full-service pharmacies. Hannaford employs more than 26,000 associates. Additional information can be found at www.hannaford.com.