U.S. Sen. Patty Murray Presented 2010 Good Samaritan Award in Philanthropy
For Immediate Release:
Contact: David Burch
Volunteers of America
(703) 341-5054 or dburch@voa.org
EVERETT, Wash., October 28, 2010 – Volunteers of America, a leading provider of housing and services to homeless veterans, presented its 2010 Good Samaritan Award in Philanthropy to U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) in recognition of her legislative career dedicated to helping veterans and others in need. The award was presented on Oct. 27 at the Everett Golf and Country Club at a Luncheon hosted by the Snohomish County Economic Development Council.
The Good Samaritan Award is presented each year to a person, program or organization that has made an extraordinary contribution of resources, time, energy and money to the betterment of their neighbors. Previous recipients include U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski and the Major League Baseball Players Trust.
Murray has been a leading champion for Washington state’s 670,000 veterans and is the first woman to serve on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. She has worked tirelessly to ensure that service members with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury receive quality care. Murray also helped pass the Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act and the Josua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act, among other legislation supporting veteran care. In Washington state, Murray has worked with the Veterans’ Administration to open community-based health clinics throughout the state and to expand existing facilities. She has also worked to increase funding for homeless veterans.
“I feel so strongly that when men and women serve our country, we should honor them,” Murray said. “I believe it is up to all of us to be advocates for our veterans today, to make sure that they get what this country has promised them when they go to fight for us.”
Volunteers of America National President Mike King said, “During her time in office, Sen. Murray has demonstrated the compassion and generosity at the heart of the parable of the Good Samaritan. As the daughter of a disabled World War II veteran, she has a deep personal connection to the needs of America’s service members. Sen. Murray truly exemplifies the Volunteers of America tenet ‘There are no limits to caring.’”
Volunteers of America provides services to more than 7,000 veterans in need nationwide and is a leading provider of assistance to homeless veterans. In the Seattle region, Everett-based Volunteers of America Western Washington enlists more than 500 employees and 450 volunteers to respond to 350,000 requests for assistance each year from families in crisis, children at risk, seniors and adults with disabilities.
About Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need live healthy, safe and productive lives. Since 1896, our ministry of service has supported and empowered America’s most vulnerable groups, including seniors, people with disabilities, at-risk youth, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, those recovering from addictions and many others. Through hundreds of human service programs, including housing and health care, Volunteers of America helps more than 2 million people in over 400 communities. We offer a variety of services for older Americans, in particular, that allow them to maintain their independence and quality of life – everything from an occasional helping hand to full-time care. Our work touches the mind, body, heart and ultimately the spirit of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services.
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