Team R4V’s Mission is to create life-changing opportunities for wounded veterans by promoting awareness, supporting rehabilitation, and empowering individuals to follow through on a path of healing with a sense of pride and accomplishment. Team R4V's goal is to have a lasting impact on the rehabilitation and reintegration of our nation's veterans by promoting healthy healing through sports.

Specifically, Team R4V provides the following to wounded veterans:

• Coaching/Mentoring
• Funding for race/event entry fees
• Funding for disabled veterans to participate in events with charitable athletes
• Individual grants for sports camps
• Women-specific training programs
• Individual grants for adaptive sports equipment

Team R4V’s longterm plans include:

• Partner with support organizations to fund sports camps
• Drive research on the “Signature Wounds” of Iraq and Afghanistan: PTSD & TBI

HERE IS WHY R4V NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

Every wounded veteran has a story to tell, but we are here to share one in particular — Chief Master Sergeant Damian Orslene, or the “Chief” as he likes to be called. The Chief was an accomplished triathlete, and competing in races was a favorite pastime of his; however, all of that was put in jeopardy during his 2007 deployment to Kirkuk, Iraq where he sustained multiple injuries. The Chief “twisted” his hips, tore his shoulder, blew vertebras, damaged his ears and was diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). These injuries along with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have brought with them many challenges.

Post–injuries, the Chief thought about taking his life. He had never felt that kind-of low before; the pain was so intense and that was all he had to focus on.

Then, he was asked to represent the Air Force in the 2010 inaugural Warrior Games (an Olympic style event sponsored by the Department of Defense and the U.S. Paralympics for disabled veterans). He trained for 10 months as hard as he could, and competed in multiple swimming events and wheelchair basketball. The Chief says that sports absolutely saved his life. It gave him hope, empowered him to focus on healing, and gave him the much-needed self-confidence that is crucial to following through on a path of healing with a sense of pride and accomplishment.

The Chief is an absolute inspiration and stories like his are why we are asking you to make a donation to Team R4V. Help us have a lasting impact on the rehabilitation and reintegration of our nations veterans by promoting healthy healing through sports. Team RV4 knows there is not a one size fits all model and by remaining flexible with the support team R4V provides, we afford disabled veterans the opportunity to pursue his/her physical and mental wellbeing through involvement in the sport of his/her choice. Help R4V help other veterans like the Chief who have made such incredible sacrifices!

LEVELS OF GIVING - Team Racing for Veterans honors two distinct donor societies: The R4V Elite Society and R4V Donor Society.

The R4V Donor Society was founded to recognize the unique group of Team R4V supporters who make annual gifts of $500 or more. The gifts are annual, unrestricted gifts that are used to support the vital mission of Team Racing for Veterans in support of America’s disabled veterans. Additionally, these essential funds provide direct support to R4V for immediate strategic needs identified by the Veteran Outreach Committee and Executive Director.

The R4V Donor Society Recognition Levels:

Gold $5,000 +

Silver $1,000 - $4,999

Bronze $500 - $999

In addition to the honorary recognition, the R4V Donor Society members:

• Are recognized as R4V Donor Society members in the quarterly newsletters.
• Are offered opportunities to attend Team R4V fundraising events in New York and DC as honorary guests, allowing donors to interact with Team R4V sponsored athletes and see first-hand the impact they are making in the lives of America’s Heroes.
• Receive special recognition as R4V Donor Society members by having their names listed in the Team R4V Annual Donor Report.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!