Pin-Up Girl Raises Money for Veterans' Healthcare

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Jan 19, 2010, 10:18 ET

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pin-Up-In-Chief Gina Elise, creator of the award-winning "Pin-Ups For Vets" Calendar fundraiser project, presented a $15,000.00 check to the Portland, OR VA Hospital to improve rehabilitation programs for Veterans. This was Elise's third donation to a VA or military hospital since she began her pin-up project in 2007.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100119/DC39426)

A few years ago Elise started seeing news about under-funded Veterans' healthcare programs and wanted to do something to help. She decided to produce a WWII-style pin-up calendar to bring in funds to support these Veterans Hospital rehab programs.

Along with raising money for hospitals, Elise has also made thousands of bedside visits to Veterans across the U.S. to personally deliver her "Pin-Ups For Vets" calendars and "Kiss A Vet" T-shirts. These gifts, complete with personal messages, are donated by supporters who purchase the gifts on Elise's popular website, www.PinUpsForVets.com.

In addition to her visits to VA and military hospitals, Elise sends hundreds of "Pin-Ups For Vets" items to deployed troops around the world to boost morale. The troops have responded to Elise's support by flying 7 American flags in her honor over military bases.

"The troops have sent me hundreds of thank-you notes for the great morale boost that the calendars have brought them. It is important to let them know that they are not forgotten," says Elise. The photos have been torn out of the calendars to decorate tents, and some of the photos have been carried with troops during missions to inspire and motivate.

The letters to Elise from the troops all show appreciation for her support. Letters like this one arrive daily: "I would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation for your efforts towards our Veterans. This morning a helicopter flew into our remote base in Afghanistan and delivered your wonderful calendar. We are a small team of advisors to the Afghan National Army, and all of us enjoyed a great boost of morale that you gave us. Thanks again for all you do for the boys and girls over here."

Military units have put in requests for the pin-up calendars, and Elise needs to find donors to meet those requests. Elise says, "These donated gifts boost morale and improve Veterans' healthcare. What better way to honor those who have served our country!"