L-R: Wounded troops at BAMC's Center for the Intrepid in January, Ruth Stewart
Wounded Warriors Help Center
The Soldiers and Families Assistance Center at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) is a haven for troops on long-term therapy following severe injuries during the two gulf wars. The Center is a homey environment, providing a relaxing contrast to the medical scene necessary for physical rehabilitation. It is open daily under the direction of Judith Markelz, Program Manager, with the help of many volunteers…some of them wounded warriors themselves.
There is equipment jammed into the limited space (1200 square feet) providing for television or video watching, computer activities, games, reading or chatting with each other or with helping staff. Snacks are always available, and homemade cookies bring a sense of home to these men and women whose lives have little of this. There are scheduled group activities such as bingo, scrapbooking and leatherworking as well as off-base trips to sporting and entertainment events sponsored by outside resources.
Ms Markelz is the vital center to the operations, a dynamo with an answer or a resource for virtually every need of the wounded soldiers, marines and their families. She maintains contact with assigned case managers, connecting the hospital-based resources with those beyond the capability of the military medical system. She finds an answer for personal situations, ranging from how to file an income tax return to how to get a spouse to a new assignment locale. She provides comfort and a sense of reality to those whose lives have been so severely traumatized.
Northwest Democrats contributed generously to these troops in December, with dozens of homemade cookies and bottles of water. In honor of Armed Forces Day this month, we are again providing these items and others (see below) donated by members and their friends. We have also suggested this project to the other Democratic clubs in the area and each month through November a Democratic club will be helping these wounded warriors and reminding them that Democrats appreciate their sacrifices on behalf of our country. We expect that this monthly Democratic endeavor will continue. For further information on the Soldier and Family Assistance Center, to to http://media.myfoxhouston.com/news/intrepid and click on Part 4 Family Support.
The Soldiers and Families Assistance Center at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) is a haven for troops on long-term therapy following severe injuries during the two gulf wars. The Center is a homey environment, providing a relaxing contrast to the medical scene necessary for physical rehabilitation. It is open daily under the direction of Judith Markelz, Program Manager, with the help of many volunteers…some of them wounded warriors themselves.
There is equipment jammed into the limited space (1200 square feet) providing for television or video watching, computer activities, games, reading or chatting with each other or with helping staff. Snacks are always available, and homemade cookies bring a sense of home to these men and women whose lives have little of this. There are scheduled group activities such as bingo, scrapbooking and leatherworking as well as off-base trips to sporting and entertainment events sponsored by outside resources.
Ms Markelz is the vital center to the operations, a dynamo with an answer or a resource for virtually every need of the wounded soldiers, marines and their families. She maintains contact with assigned case managers, connecting the hospital-based resources with those beyond the capability of the military medical system. She finds an answer for personal situations, ranging from how to file an income tax return to how to get a spouse to a new assignment locale. She provides comfort and a sense of reality to those whose lives have been so severely traumatized.
Northwest Democrats contributed generously to these troops in December, with dozens of homemade cookies and bottles of water. In honor of Armed Forces Day this month, we are again providing these items and others (see below) donated by members and their friends. We have also suggested this project to the other Democratic clubs in the area and each month through November a Democratic club will be helping these wounded warriors and reminding them that Democrats appreciate their sacrifices on behalf of our country. We expect that this monthly Democratic endeavor will continue. For further information on the Soldier and Family Assistance Center, to to http://media.myfoxhouston.com/news/intrepid and click on Part 4 Family Support.
Donations Welcomed for Soldiers & Family Assistance Center
Homemade cookies, bottled water, individually wrapped snacks
Phone cards, gift cards (such as Target or Wal-Mart)
Disposable cameras, pens, pencils, music, DVD’s
Diapers, personal hygiene items
Frequent flyer miles
Program Manager Judith Markelz
210 241 0811 or (cell) 210 221 2463
NOTE: Items for the Soldier & Family Assistance Center will be collected at the May 19 meeting of Northwest Democrats and delivered that morning
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