Wounded Warrior Project and Operation Touchdown 2010 Join Forces for Super Bowl XLIV

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Wounded Warrior Project, Operation Touchdown and the National Football League have partnered to encourage fans of the AFC Champion Indianapolis Colts and NFC Champion New Orleans Saints to show pride in their teams as they prepare for Super Bowl XLIV.  From now until game day, fans can compete to see who can raise the most money and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project and the severely injured service members they serve. Visit the below link to cast your vote by making a donation:

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/operationtouchdown

Steven Nardizzi, executive director of Wounded Warrior Project stated, "The Super Bowl is America's greatest championship game and we are extremely grateful to the NFL and Operation Touchdown for allowing us this platform to raise awareness for these brave Americans. They fought so the rest of us may watch this special game amongst family and friends as part of the many freedoms we enjoy every day."

To date, over 34,000 members of our nation's armed forces have been physically wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Studies estimate that more than 300,000 will suffer from the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. These injuries are often devastating, leaving a formerly active young man or woman unable to care for themselves. While grateful for their return, the round-the-clock care required to treat these wounded warriors often falls on their families, giving caregivers no choice but to leave their jobs and forego healthcare of their own.

WWP provides programs and services to assist injured veterans and their families during their recovery, rehabilitation and transition. Whether through caregiver retreats, combat stress programs, career and education services, or adaptive sporting opportunities, Wounded Warrior Project's vision is to help make this generation of wounded warriors the most successful and well-adjusted in our nation's history.

Operation Touchdown began as a friendly rivalry between two avid NFL fans serving in Iraq: Army Reserve Major David Seiter, a Colts supporter, and his supervisor, Army Col. (ret.) Ted Cox, a backer of the Saints.  With the help of the NFL, Seiter and Cox organized a day-long clinic in 2003 to introduce Iraqi children to American football.  With NFL apparel donated from their home-teams, the two officers brought the children and members of the U.S. military together for an unforgettable day of friendly competition and sport in a time of war.  

Seiter and Cox have kept Operation Touchdown alive since 2003.  Now, with their teams preparing to compete in Super Bowl XLIV, they have revived their rivalry and teamed with Wounded Warrior Project to encourage their fellow supporters to show their love of football and their pride in the U.S. military with one donation.

"Since I returned from Iraq, I am often asked how individuals can support the troops while our country is at war," said Seiter. "The Wounded Warrior Project responds to the needs of wounded warriors and we are pleased to help our brothers and sisters in arms who have suffered severe injuries because of their sacrifice to our nation."

About Wounded Warrior Project

The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors.  Its purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service members, to help severely injured men and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, apolitical organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. To get involved and learn more, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project