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**Written by Doug Powers

Fourth of July weekend is a great time to kick off this year’s Project Valour-IT fundraiser, and we’re pleased again this year to be representing Team Marine.

First, a bit about what this great cause is all about:

Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries. Technology supplied includes:

Voice-controlled Laptops – Operated by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, they allow the wounded to maintain connections with the rest of the world during recovery.

Wii Video Game Systems – Whole-body game systems increase motivation and speed recovery when used under the guidance of physical therapists in therapy sessions (donated only to medical facilities).

Personal GPS – Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to severe TBI and severe PTSD.

The experience of Major Chuck Ziegenfuss (pictured), a partner in the project who suffered serious hand wounds while serving in Iraq, led to the creation of this program that has used voice-controlled laptops to the support recovery and reintegration of thousands of wounded troops since 2005.

The leader of Team Marine, Wolff, who maintains the blog Howling at the Moon, has a few details about this summer’s fundraiser:

Held July 1-14, the Valour-IT fundraising competition will draw on blogging, Facebook, Twitter and other social media to raise money and awareness for the needs of wounded troops. Divided among four “virtual teams” named in honor of U.S. military service branches, participants will also use flyers, word-of-mouth and traditional media outlets to spread the word. The goal is to raise at least $100,000, which will meet increased demand for Valour-IT services through October 2011.

We participated last year, and thanks to your generosity, I’m proud to say that Team Marine came out on top. The “competition” is friendly though, because no matter who raises the most money between the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, everybody wins, and those who make so many sacrifices for us have the help they need and deserve.

Click the link to get more info about Project Valour-IT, or the link below it to donate:

Click here if you would like to add your blog and participate in the fundraiser. On behalf of Project Valour-IT, thanks so much, and in coming days I’ll have updates on how we’re progressing toward the goal.

**Written by Doug Powers

Twitter @ThePowersThatBe