Informer: Group spent $89.5M to help wounded vets

By By Andrew Perzo / American Press

I’ve seen lots of ads for the Wounded Warrior Project. Out of the dollars that we send to the Wounded Warrior Project, how

much actually goes to the wounded warriors?

According to its latest audit report, the group last year spent about $89.5 million on program services, $13.88 million on

fundraising activities and $4.7 million on administrative costs.

The report, which covers the period from Oct. 1, 2010, to Sept. 30, 2011, says Wounded Warrior Project Inc. took in $67.7

million in cash donations and sponsorships and $55.3 million in in-kind contributions — most of it donated advertising for

awareness campaigns and public service announcements.

Among the programs offered by the group, which aids service members who have been wounded since Sept. 11, 2001:

Combat Stress Recovery Program — “Addresses the mental health and cognitive needs of warriors returning from war,” reads the group’s site. “CSRP provides

services at key stages during a warrior’s readjustment process.”

Warriors to Work

— Aids in the “transition back into the civilian workforce by providing

career counseling services and job placement assistance,”

the site reads. “Through individual counseling, resume assistance,

and career guidance, warriors’ skills and experience are

matched to hiring employers’ needs.”

TRACK — A yearlong education program, with sites in Florida and Texas, that “gives warriors a jump-start on meeting educational

goals.”

WWP Packs — “WWP backpacks are filled with essential care and comfort items such as clothing, toiletries, playing cards, and more —

all designed to make a hospital stay more comfortable,” the site reads. “Wounded service members receive backpacks as they

arrive at military trauma units across the United States.”

Online: www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Code doesn’t specify hours for fireworks

With the July Fourth holiday coming, I would like to know who is responsible for picking up the litter after shooting fireworks.

Last year I had neighbors that used fireworks, and much of the litter ended up in my yard. I picked up two bagfuls of spent

fireworks. Also, are there any limits on the hours that the fireworks can be used?

“The practical enforceability of most litter violations in regard to fireworks is challenging, and experience has shown that

these instances are better handled as civil matters between neighbors,” Bryan Beam, Calcasieu Parish administrator, wrote

in an email.

“However, citizens are certainly encouraged to contact law enforcement authorities if they believe it is necessary.”

The parish code doesn’t specifically

limit the lighting of fireworks to certain hours, but it does contain

anti-noise provisions,

he noted.

“No person shall make, continue, or cause to be made or continued any loud, unnecessary or excessive noise which unreasonably

interferes with the comfort and repose of others within the jurisdiction of the parish,” reads Section 18-96.

Online: www.municode.com.

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The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098, press 5 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com