'Give-Back-24' Events to Battle 'Invisible Wounds of War'

MCLEAN, Va., April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Code of Support Foundation (COSF) announced today a nationwide call for participating events to be part of a June 9-10 "Flag Day Give-Back-24 Challenge" fundraising weekend to help our troops, veterans and military families battle the "Invisible Wounds of War," including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The goal of Give-Back-24 is to significantly increase the private-sector support resources available to the troops and their families and to actively engage the public in giving back by making pledges to support the less than 1 percent who selflessly serve and sacrifice.

According to Major General (Ret.) Alan Salisbury, Chairman and CEO of Code of Support Foundation, now more than ever, every American needs to do their part in supporting the troops. "In this time of declining resources, the need for private-sector help is actually increasing," Salisbury said, "especially in areas like PTSD and TBI where government resources are insufficient, and the troops are often reluctant to use them."

The anchor Give-Back-24 event is a "Ride Around the Clock" motorcycle ride, organized by Patriot Guard Rider Lisa Markle, that will see a dedicated group of bikers cover a nearly 1000-mile circuit from Arlington, VA through Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and back to Arlington in a 24-hour period beginning at 9 am on Saturday, June 9, and ending at 9 am on Sunday, June 10.

"We're inviting Americans all over the country to create events for that weekend to generate pledges, Salisbury continued. "Events can be anything from riding, walking, dancing, to Scrabble playing and beyond. They can be just a few hours long or last all weekend. Our only requirement is that they run some time during the June 9-10 weekend. Groups and individuals can use their imaginations to create interesting and exciting activities that the public will support." Full details can be found on the Web at http://www.giveback24.org.

COSF Executive Director Kristina Kaufmann, herself a military spouse, said: "We have vetted five outstanding non-profit organizations as our beneficiaries for Give-Back-24, all dedicated to the mental health of service members and their families. These include Give an Hour, Not Alone, Project Sanctuary, Family of a Vet, and the Thomas Jerome House. One hundred percent of the funds pledged will go to these organizations with no administrative deductions of any kind."

Pledges may be made in advance through the http://www.giveback24.org website, and those who organize participating events may register their events at the same site. Each participating event has its own webpage for receiving pledges. Questions may be sent to [email protected].

Background: The Code of Support Foundation is dedicated to bridging the gap between the American people and our Armed Forces. Its mission is to ensure that all Americans understand the service and sacrifice of our troops and their families, and are committed and actively engaged in doing their part in support of our national defense. The foundation, a 501(c)(3), was established in 2010 and helps identify, vet and support other non-profit organizations that support military communities. The foundation has also created a "Code of Support" for our troops intended to help Americans give meaning to the words "Support Our Troops." The Code of Support parallels the military "Code of Conduct," which guides all service members. In the first article of the Code of Conduct, our troops pledge that they are prepared to give their lives in our defense. The Code of Support is a simple set of promises that all Americans can make to our armed forces in return.

More information on the Code of Support, the Give-Back-24 Challenge and the foundation may be found at http://www.codeofsupport.org and http://www.giveback24.org.

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CONTACT: John Grady, 703-250-4869

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SOURCE The Code of Support Foundation