ACT and IAC Donate to Homes for Our Troops
The American Council for Technology (ACT) and its Industry Advisory Council (IAC) has announced it will donate $150,000 to Homes for Our Troops. Funds were raised for the donation at a charity gala held September 9, 2006 at Union Station in Washington, D.C.
Homes for Our Troops raises support and funds to build homes for disabled veterans and their families. The organization has completed eight projects in five states and is currently working on 12 projects in ten states. Through funds raised at events such as the annual Gala and other sponsor donations, the program builds homes at no cost to the veterans and their families who own them.
Homes for Our Troops was founded by John Gonsalves in 2004 in response to the terrorist acts of 9/11 and the precipitating conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since breaking ground on their first home in December of 2004, Gonsalves has worked tirelessly, along with celebrities, sports figures and government leaders to gain visibility for the cause. As a result, Homes for Our Troops is currently working with soldiers that have experienced partial or full paralysis and limb damage or loss.
The ACT/IAC event brought together more than 450 government and industry attendees for an evening that included personal appearances by John Gonsalves and Navy Corpsman, Joseph Worley, a veteran who has benefited directly from the charity’s work. Gonsalves took advantage of the gala as an opportunity to present Joseph with the keys to his recently completed home. Attendees then participated in a live auction that included a “Fund a Need” portion in which participants could donate funds to cover specific construction needs, such as a widened door or wheelchair ramp, as one of their bids. The evening, which also included a silent auction, dinner and entertainment, was planned by a dedicated team of volunteers led by Chair Angela Drummond of SiloSmashers.
“On behalf of ACT & IAC, I am proud to present this donation to Homes for Our Troops as a token of our appreciation for our brave soldiers’ sacrifices and to help them begin rebuilding their lives,” said Bill Piatt, chair of the Industry Advisory Council. “Homes for Our Troops goes above and beyond the call of duty in embracing values that we share by making a real difference in the lives of such important public servants,” said Barry C. West, President of ACT.
“We are grateful to ACT/IAC and all the sponsors and guests of this event for their generous support of Homes for Our Troops. It was evident that the gala committee put their heart and soul into organizing this wonderful gala. Their commitment to support our wounded American heroes through Homes for Our Troops serves as outstanding example of the compassion of the citizens of America. The fund-a-need portion of the event was particularly moving to me as many of the guests raised their auction paddles to support our mission! The gala was a memorable event that will allow us to take another injured veteran, who sacrificed so much for our country, off of our waiting list and build a handicap accessible home for them.”
We would like to thank our Gala sponsors: 1 Source Consulting, AT&T Government Solutions, Booz Allen Hamilton, IBM, Immix Group, Merlin Technology Solutions, Multimax, Inc., Northrup Grumman, Perot Systems, Raytheon, Savi Technology, SiloSmashers, and Verizon Federal.
For more information, visit www.actgov.org/2006charitygala or call the ACT/IAC office at (703) 208-4800.
About Homes for Our Troops
Homes for Our Troops is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization helping those who have selflessly given to their country and have returned home with serious disabilities and injuries. We assist injured service men and women and their immediate families by raising donations of money, building materials and professional labor and coordinating the process of building a new home or adapting an existing home for handicapped accessibility. These services are provided at no cost to the veterans we are honored to assist. For more information, please visit our web site at www.homesforourtroops.org.
About the American Council for Technology and the Industry Advisory Council
The American Council for Technology (ACT) is a non-profit educational organization established in 1979 to assist government in acquiring and using information technology resources effectively and efficiently. Working with all levels of government, ACT provides education, programming, and networking opportunities that enhance and advance the government IT profession. In 1989 ACT established the Industry Advisory Council (IAC) to bring industry and government executives together to exchange information, support professional development, improve communications, and build partnership and trust, thereby enhancing government’s ability to serve the nation. ACT and IAC work together to provide an objective, professional and ethical forum where government and industry leaders can collaborate on addressing common issues towards a shared vision. For more information, visit www.actgov.org or call (703) 208-4800.