Help the Troops Battle PTSD and TBI June 9-10

MCLEAN, Va., June 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Code of Support Foundation (COSF) issued a nationwide call today for Americans to make pledges/donations as part of the 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." 

Give-Back-24 is anchored by the "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 9:30 am on Sunday, June 10. 

DC area supporters are encouraged to see the team off at a rally Saturday morning at the Air Force Memorial overlooking the Pentagon, and welcome them back on Sunday morning at a rally at the nearby Iwo Jima Memorial. Hagerstown, MD, is the first stop (Sheetz station, 17550 Virginia Ave) for the team, which should arrive about 10:30 am on Saturday morning. The complete 5-state itinerary can be found on the website.

COSF Executive Director Kristina Kaufmann, herself a military spouse, said: "We have carefully 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."

"We've already received more than $10,000 in advance pledges on the website (http://www.giveback24.org)," Salisbury added. "To donate to all five beneficiaries with a single pledge, go to http://www.bit.ly/IWWFPledge (case sensitive). Any amount will be appreciated and will help the troops. To support the riders in their 24-hour effort, we suggest a donation of $24."

This year's Give-Back-24 event is the first of what is planned to be an annual event in support of our troops, our military families and our veterans. Each year, Give-Back-24 will focus on one of the most critical and under-resourced needs of our troops. The two most urgent needs they face today are mental health treatment and veterans' employment.

The Code of Support Foundation is dedicated to bridging the gap between the American people and our Armed Forces. 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, which parallels the Code of Conduct that guides our troops, is a simple set of promises that all Americans can make to our men and women in uniform, as well as their families and veterans, 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