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Wounded Warrior program calls for volunteers, donations

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Clinton Atkins
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Southwest Asia --  Behind any successful program stands a horde of willing volunteers and benefactors. The Wounded Warrior program here is no different and continuously seeks assistance and supplies from anyone willing to offer a lending hand. 

The 379 Expeditionary Medical Group Wounded Warrior program thrives off of charitable offerings, which are used to honor and accommodate injured servicemembers recovering from war-sustained injuries here in Southwest Asia. 

"Our volunteers are the heartbeat to this whole program," said Captain Deidra Haralson, 379 EMDG nurse. "Without our volunteers and people sending in goodies we wouldn't be able to provide for our wounded warriors nowhere near as effectively as we have been." 

Even though there are seven nurses to care for the wounded, their needs often outweigh the availability of the medical staff. 

"The medical staff is not here all of the time," said Maj. Debbie Davis, 379 EMDG nurse. "Often the first day after surgery the patients need assistance and this is where the volunteers can be a key part of the process. 

"A lot of times it is the volunteers who come over to help the servicemembers get their meals or give them a ride," said the Avondale, Ariz., native. "Right after they get their surgeries they need a lot of help." 

Providing quality care for the injured servicemembers is an ever evolving process. Currently, the medical group is looking to revamp the Wounded Warrior Center of Excellence's reception area. 

"One of our main projects right now is to do a quality of life improvement for this room," said Captain Haralson, a native of Alamogordo, N.M. "We'd like to paint it and make it more inviting and add couches. We need all of the help we can get with gathering the resources and painting the room. We need talented people to assist with improving this space." 

Other reoccurring needs are uniform items for all services. 

"We go through a lot of uniforms to include PT gear, tennis shoes and boots," said Major Davis, a reservist deployed from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. "Also towels, T-shirts and any kind of toiletry items are always appreciated. 

"So far, everyone has been really supportive," she said. "I hope we can keep the trend going." 

The Wounded Warrior Center of Excellence will be hosting various events for the injured servicemembers in the near future. Medical group personnel will need help from volunteers to put on the events. Such events include a barbecue, Wounded Warrior Appreciation Dinner and a B-1 tour. 

For those interested in volunteering, meetings open to all will be held the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at the Wounded Warrior Center of Excellence located in the Coalition Compound Medical Treatment Facility at 6 p.m. For more information, call the 379 EMDG first sergeant at 437-4207 or the Airman Readiness Center at 437-6267.