Alcoa Foundation Signs on as Official Sponsor of 2011 National Veterans Wheelchair Games


Marks Veterans Day with Support for Paralyzed Veterans' Mission: ABLE

PITTSBURGH - To honor our nation's veterans this Veterans Day, Alcoa Foundation announced today it is an official sponsor of the Paralyzed Veterans of America's Mission: ABLE "UnstoppABLE" impact initiative. The program supports adaptive sporting opportunities for veterans with disabilities such as the National Veterans Wheelchair Games to be held in Pittsburgh, August 1-6, 2011.

The Wheelchair Games are the world's largest annual wheelchair sports event. Co-presented by Paralyzed Veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Games from the Greatest Generation to the latest generation will "go for Gold" in this Olympic-style event that mixes competition, camaraderie and courage.

"Thank you Alcoa Foundation for your support of our Mission: ABLE 'UnstoppABLE' impact initiative and the National Veterans Wheelchair Games," said Bill Lawson, National President of Paralyzed Veterans. "Adaptive sports play an enormously important role in helping seriously injured veterans get back into life. The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is rehabilitation at its best for our seriously injured heroes."

Alcoa employees support our troops and veterans through community-based events and activities organized at locations throughout the United States. "We are proud to partner with the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Department of Veterans Affairs to support the Games and are excited to cheer on and celebrate the extraordinary men and women who will come together to compete in Alcoa's hometown," said Alcoa Foundation President Paula Davis.

In Pittsburgh, employees at the Alcoa Corporate Center and Alcoa Technical Center have a long-standing relationship with the Veterans Hospitals at University Drive Division, Highland Drive Division and H.J. Heinz Progressive Care Center through patient visits, gifts of personal items, and holiday cheer in the form of cards and placemats drawn by children. The United States Division - North Contingency Operating Base in Speicher, Iraq, recently recognized the generosity of Alcoa employees at the Alcoa Technical Center who prepare care packages to boost the spirits of soldiers.

ABOUT ALCOA FOUNDATION

Alcoa Foundation is one of the largest corporate foundations in the U.S., with assets of approximately US $420 million. In addition to addressing local needs in communities where Alcoa operates, Alcoa Foundation is focused on promoting environmental stewardship, enabling economic and social sustainability, and preparing tomorrow's leaders through education and learning. Alcoa Foundation was founded more than 50 years ago and has invested more than US $515 million since 1952.

ABOUT PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA

Paralyzed Veterans of America was founded by a band of spinal cord injured service members who returned home from World War II to a grateful nation, but also to a world with few solutions to the challenges they faced. They made a decision not just to live, but to live with dignity as contributors to society. They created Paralyzed Veterans, dedicated to veterans' service, medical research, and civil rights for people with disabilities. And for more than 64 years, the organization and its 34 chapters have been working to create an America where all veterans and people with disabilities, and their families, have everything they need to thrive. We represent thousands of veterans in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. (www.pva.org)

ABOUT ALCOA DEFENSE

On land, in the air and at sea, Alcoa Defense helps make the military lighter, faster and stronger. From aluminum armor for High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) to underbody vehicle shields that resist improvised explosive device (IED) blasts, Alcoa products protect soldiers' lives. Alcoa Defense partners with industry leaders to design systems and materials that increase the speed, reach, agility and survivability of military platforms. In addition to delivering lightweight, innovative solutions in multiple product forms, Alcoa Defense manufactures subassemblies, prototypes and complete aluminum structures that original equipment manufacturers can integrate into their platforms for land, air and sea. More information can be found at AlcoaDefense.com.

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