Preliminary Totals

The competition aspect of the fundraiser officially ended at midnight Pacific on November 27, and the team totals at that time (plus checks received by mail) will be the totals used for the standings. However, the widgets will remain active until Monday (Dec. 1) when the main website will be updated, and I will give full fundraising numbers after that. We also have a few auctions (unaffiliated donations) that will not be completed until tomorrow night.

So, here are the preliminary totals (I'm still waiting for word on a full tally of team-specific check donations, so these could change):

Army	31,927
Navy	21,475
Marines	10081
Air Force	9437
Coast Guard	1766
Unaffiliated	8400
TOTAL	$83,086

The level of unaffiliated donations may continue to rise significantly, as those who send checks tend not to designate a team, and any additional donations coming in through the widgets from now until Monday will not be credited to a specific team in the final standings.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Thank you all for your generosity of time, spirit and donations, and for all your hard work. Due to a number of factors, it was a bit tough this year, but you did amazing work. And because of that work, Valour-IT is going to be able to continue to supply voice-activated laptops and other technology to help those who have given so much. Thank you!

(I'll have more detailed thank yous after Monday when the full numbers come in).

Standing Up

"It really lets me know that there are people out there that still care about the troops and what they are sacrificing for this country."

"Words cannot convey how very much this means to me."

"It was the first time I felt whole."

"I am proud to serve this country knowing there are people like you that I am protecting."

...the words of recipients of Valour-IT-provided technology to support their recovery.

I suppose I could give you a guilt trip, paint a picture that would have you wiping your eyes, etc...

But there's no need for guilt trips. It's not a matter of emotion. It's simply the right thing to do. The government behemoth doesn't move fast enough to meet all the needs of our wounded veterans; we can... But only with the help of hundreds and thousands of patriotic, caring citizens like you. Citizens who know the obligation we have to those who have stood the line in our place and left a piece of themselves on that line. Citizens who know how blessed they are to sit down and use their computer without a second thought. Citizens who will never know what it's like to wake up and wonder if they'll ever be able to use their battered arm again. Citizens who are safe and comparatively carefree... because someone else paid the sometimes-steep price for their freedom.

It's not something to feel guilty for. But it is something that we will always be indebted for. They stood up for us in hard times, signed on the dotted line when they knew it meant wartime service. Now it's our turn to stand up for them in hard times, when the money isn't coming so easily for us.

Five dollars? It's five more than Valour-IT had before. Ten? Fifteen? Like raindrops running down the window pane turn to rivulets, steams and rivers, we can be a mighty force when we each do our part.

If you haven't donated, please do. If you have, thank you! And please, tell a friend or a faily member about the impact of Valour-IT on wounded soldiers.

Drip, drip, drip... it all adds up, and every cent is needed. This Thanksgiving, please thank a wounded warrior by helping him as he fights to regain his life.

It's our turn to stand up.

Latest Totals

Due to unaffiliated donations (donations made to Valour-IT but not in the name of any team), our fundraising total is over $6,000 higher than the widgets show. As always, there are other reasons for any variations between this and the widget totals, plus we still have checks to count. With a big push, I think we could still break $100,000...

Look who's on top, now... Navy has some work to do! ;)

	Total Donors	Total Raised
Army	214	29,402
Navy	121	21,025
Marines	92	8601.2
Air Force	98	6693.27
Coast Guard	28	1555.95
Unaffiliated	61	6116
TOTAL	614	73,393

Valour-IT Fundraising Totals - Day 11

Here are the official totals at midnight on Day 11, November 21 (once again, these may be larger than the widget totals at that time, for reasons outlined here). In fact, these totals do not include all checks received, so the actual total is even larger.

	Total Donors	Total Raised
Navy	107	20,520
Army	184	17,614
Marines	83	7251
Air Force	85	6021
Coast Guard	24	1366
Unaffiliated	48	5701
TOTAL	424	58,473

Valour-IT Fundraising Totals - Day 10

Here are the official totals at midnight on Day 10, November 20 (again, these may be larger than the widget totals at that time, for reasons outlined here). In fact, these totals do not include all checks received, so the actual total is even larger.

	Total Donors	Total Raised
Navy	106	20,055
Army	179	17,179
Marines	78	6481
Air Force	80	5233
Coast Guard	24	1366
Unaffiliated	42	5451
TOTAL	403	$55,765

Valour-IT Fundraising Totals - Day 9

Here are the official totals at midnight on Day 9, November 19 (again, these may be larger than the widget totals at that time, for reasons outlined here). In fact, these totals do not include all checks received, so the actual total is even larger.

There has definitely been an modest but very clear upswing in daily totals over the last four days since the nadir of the 15th, and I expect that to continue when today's numbers come in. I think that means we're still building our ground game, so with a week still to go, I think we have tremendous room for growth.

Let's make it happen!

	Total Donors	Total Raised
Navy	100	19,605
Army	170	16,848
Marines	71	5986.2
Air Force	70	4703.27
Coast Guard	22	1165.85
Unaffiliated	41	4940
TOTAL	374	53,248

Valour-IT Fundraising Totals - Day 8

CORRECTION: The totals were matched to the wrong teams. They have been corrected. I must've scrambled something when I copied it over from the Excel file. My apologies for any confusion or alarm.

Here are the official totals at midnight on Day 8, November 18 (again, these may be larger than the widget totals at that time, for reasons outlined here). In fact, these totals do not include all checks received, so the actual total is even larger.

		Total Donors	Total Raised
Navy		95	18709.85
Army		159	13,673
Marines		70	5936.2
Air Force		69	4683
Coast Guard		19	990.85
Unaffiliated		36	4940
TOTAL		353	48,933

Autographed books for auction!

Team Army has been very busy collecting authors to assist them in their plan to come from behind and beat Team Navy.

Seven autographed science fiction and techno-thriller books are already up for bid on the Soldiers' Angels eBay account. Check it out! If you're not a fan of sci-fi or techno-thrillers, pass it on--maybe a friend would like to bid.

As for the rest of you... looks like Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy and Marines need to get a move on! ;) Just email Soldiers' Angles with the info about your items and we'll make sure they get up on eBay as fast as possible (Team Army has graciously asked that funds from the auction be credited to Valour-IT in general, and not to a specific team).

Here's the press release about the Army auctions:

Best-Selling Authors Provide Autographed Books to Support Project Valour-IT

Seven noted authors have stepped up to support Project Valour-IT by donating autographed books for auction, and more are anticipated to join them. The books are being auctioned on eBay to help raise money to help Soldier's Angels provide adaptive laptops to wounded or disabled service members.

David Weber, David Drake, John Ringo, David J. Williams, Dean Ing, Mark L. Van Name, and Travis "Doc" Taylor have all agreed to provide works for auction as part of the annual fundraiser, which kicked off on Veterans Day and ends Thanksgiving Day. The works are being auctioned on the eBay Giving Works listings (seller spliffslips) with the money raised going directly and fully to the Project Valour-IT fund.

Currently, there are seven items up for bid on eBay:

The Last Centurion by John Ringo.

The Quantum Connection by Travis S. Taylor.

Warp Speed by Travis S. Taylor.

Von Neuman's War by John Ringo and Travis S. Taylor (autographed by Travis S. Taylor only).

The Complete Hammer's Slammers Volume 1 by David Drake.

Vorpal Blade by John Ringo and Travis S. Taylor (autographed by Travis S. Taylor only).

Slanted Jack by Mark L. Van Name.

Works by David Weber, Dave Williams, and Dean Ing will be posted for auction soon. The end time for each auction is different, so please check each listing to determine its end date.

John Ringo is a New York Times best-selling author with more than a million copies of his works in print. A veteran (Airborne!), he is known for his solo "Posleen" and "Ghost" series, as well as his "Empire of Man" series co-authored with David Weber.

Travis S. "Doc" Taylor is a rising light in the science fiction sky. He's earned not only a Ph.D. in optical science and engineering, but Master's degrees in physics, aerospace engineering, and astronomy and a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering as well. The author of several books, he may be best known for the "Looking Glass" series co-authored with John Ringo. The start of a series of video interviews with Taylor can be found here.

David Drake is the New York Times best-selling author of the "Hammer's Slammers" series. Having written on a variety of subjects, his Hammer's Slammers work is based on his service in Vietnam and he is known to describe the series as the 11th Armored Cavalry with ray guns. The start of a series of video interviews with Drake can be found at here.

Mark L. Van Name is an author who also runs a technology assessment company in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. A former Executive Vice President for Ziff Davis Media and national technology columnist, he's published over a thousand computer-related articles in addition to his "Slanted Jack" series and numerous short stories. The start of a series of video interviews with Van Name can be found here.

David Weber is the New York Times best-selling author of the acclaimed "Honor Harrington" series. The author of multiple best-selling books and series, he has seen his works develop a world-wide reach and following. The start of a series of video interviews with him can be found here.

David J. Williams is another rising star in the science fiction universe. Born in Hertfordshire, England, he now resides in Washington, DC. Mirrored Heavens is his first novel.

Dean Ing is the author of multiple science fiction and techno-thriller novels. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he earned a doctorate in communications and worked in aerospace engineering. He served on the Citizen's Advisory Council on National Space Policy.


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.

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

The experience of Major Chuck Ziegenfuss, a partner in the project who suffered serious hand wounds while serving in Iraq, illustrates how important these laptops and other technologies can be to a wounded service member's recovery.

Established in 2003, Soldiers' Angels is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) non-profit providing aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, as well as veterans and military families. For more information, see www.soldiersangels.org or call 626-529-5114. Tax ID# 20-0583415

Valour-IT Fundraising Totals - Day 7

Here are the official totals after exactly one week of fundraising (again, these may be larger than the widget totals at that time, for reasons outlined here). In fact, these totals do not include all checks received, so the actual total is even larger.

We have 10 more days to go, so we're not even halfway there. Let's continue spreading the word--this is a breadth issue in terms of number of donors, not a depth issue (nobody's pockets are as deep as they used to be), so tell your friends, neighbors and coworkers how they can directly assist the recovery of a wounded soldier!

	Total Donors	Total Raised
Navy	88	18,270
Army	148	13,012
Marines	66	4305
Air Force	60	4422.42
Coast Guard	17	965
Unaffiliated	36	4930
TOTAL	327	45,904

Valour-IT Fundraising Totals - Day 6

Here are the official totals through Day 6, November 16 (again, these may be larger than the widget totals at that time, for reasons outlined here). It looks like the Marines have pulled up into 3rd place. Watch out, Navy! ;)

	Total Donors	Total Raised
Navy	80	17,850
Army	135	12,377
Marines	58	3780
Air Force	50	3617
Coast Guard	13	795
Unaffiliated	26	3535
TOTALS	282	41,9545

Resources for Supporters

Thank you to all who have worked so tirelessly on this competition!

For bloggers and supporters who want to spread the news about the fundraiser, here are some things that might be helpful...

Basic resources:

1. Blogrolls and code (scroll down and click on the signup for a team)
2. Recent posts about Valour-IT (below sign-up links; scroll all the way down for RSS/ATOM feed)
3. Moment of Thanks - they are featuring SA this week on their homepage, and have a page specifically for Valour-IT (you can use any photos on there; just click, then right-click and save). They are also looking for additional pictures to include--email me.
4. Flyer (right-click and download)
5. Latest press release
6. News item on SA site (condensed press release)
   
7. Links to eBay auctions coming ASAP
   

Possible points to include in posts:

1. All donations specifically to Valour-IT are used ONLY for purchasing and shipping equipment. No overhead.
   
2. There’s still a war going on, even if it's not on the front pages
   
3. Valour-IT has expanded its mission to include Wii and GPS. We are addressing needs specifically raised by medical personnel.
4. “Give up something to give to the troops”—tell people, “if you don’t feel you can donate, consider how much your daily little luxuries cost and what you could give if you gave them for a week.”
5. A special, limited-edition Valour-IT coin that is not for sale will be given to all who donate $250 and up (retroactive to cover all donors from the beginning).

If you haven't already signed up for a team, please do. It helps team leaders disseminate information and highlight good posts. If you know anybody at the service academies, please comment below; we'd like to tap into their competitive tendencies.

One final note: the size of each donation is not nearly as important to our success as the total number of donations--in this time when some people are worried about their finances, it's so important to reach out as far and wide as possible. Four people who donate $25 each can ultimately be more valuable than one person who donates $150--the four donors can each recruit four more donors, etc, etc... It's all about networking.

We have 12 more days to go. Let's make them count!

Valour-IT Fundraising Totals - Day 5

Here are the official totals through Day 5, November 15 (again, these may be larger than the widget totals at that time, for reasons outlined here).

In this coming week we'll need to reach out strongly beyond the milblogs in order to draw in other people. We'll have some posts and resources up soon to help people spread the word.

Due to the $10,000 donation Navy received, we are averaging well over $100 per donor. However, when we remove the large donation, that goes down significantly. But it's still significantly above the past averages for this competition. That means that the under-$100 donors are fewer than usual. This is a challenge, as the donations of $25 and $50 add up quickly and are the foundation of Valour-IT's donors.

So, let's get out the message that every little bit really does help. We still have over ten days to go, and it all adds up...

	Total Donors	Total Raised
Air Force	49	3617
Army	127	11,637
Coast Guard	11	725
Marines	57	3630
Navy	70	16624
Unaffiliated	23	2910
TOTAL	337	39143

Valour-IT Fundraising Totals - Day 4

Here are the official totals through Day 4, November 14 (again, these are larger than the widget totals at that time, for reasons outlined here). Note that some but not all checks are included. I will be looking into that today:

	Total Donors	Total Raised
Air Force	46	3497
Army	120	11,012
Coast Guard	8	580
Marines	54	3378
Navy	67	15,999
Unaffiliated	22	2885
TOTAL	317	37,351

Valour-IT in Words and Pictures

Our first Valour-IT artwork from this year's fundraising competition has come in, thanks to DBS:



Thanks so much for a great cartoon, DBS!

Totals - Day 3

Here are the official totals through Day 3, November 1 (again, these are larger than the widget totals at that time, for reasons outlined here):

	Daily Donated	Total Donors	Total Raised
Air Force	385	40	3257
Army	3890	91	9167
Coast Guard	235	7	460
Marines	548	46	3378
Navy	192	46	5164
Unaffiliated	1010	20	2650
TOTAL	6260	250	$24076

Totals - Day 2

Here are the official totals through Day 2, November 12 (again, these are larger than the widget totals at that time, for reasons outlined here):

	Daily Donors	Daily Donations	Total Raised
Navy	19	1230	4972
Army	32	2221	5277
Air Force	6	260	2872
Marines	14	1240	2830
Coast Guard	0	0	225
Unaffiliated	1	50	1640
	21	1550	$17,816

The numbers for yesterday are a bit disappointing, but we'll have some major blog coverage tomorrow that should kick things up again.

Totals - Day 1

Great news! The total donations for yesterday are even larger than depicted on the fundraising page, for two reasons: 1) There are over $1000 in non-team donations (made in general to Valour-IT) and 2) If someone donating through PayPal doesn't wait and allow the computer to redirect them to the Soldiers' Angels site after the donation is complete, the donation will go through (be credited to Valour-IT), but it will not show up in the widgets (we're working on a system to add them in manually at the end of the day).

So, here are the official totals and standings at Midnight, ET on November 11 (revised):

	Donors	Donations
Navy	27	3742
Army	37	3056
Marines	21	1590
Air Force	21	2612
Coast Guard	3	225
Unaffiliated	14	1590
Totals	123	12,815

Wii for the Wounded?!!

Teenagers and families aren't the only ones going wild for Wii. Whole-body video game systems like Wii can help wounded warriors recover! As part of its expanded mission, Project Valour-IT is working to ensure the wounded have access to the Wii systems and other technologies that support their recovery.

While continuing to supply voice-controlled laptops, and working closely with the Department of Defense caseworkers and medical personnel, Valour-IT is now committed to supplying Wii game systems and GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) systems to severely wounded veterans.

Video games and GPS systems may be luxuries or toys for some people, but they can have a powerful effect on a wounded soldier's recovery and independence. Physical therapists report Wii Sports and similar programs are extremely motivational and helpful when used in physical therapy, but they are not standard equipment in military hospitals. Wounded personnel with short-term memory loss due to TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and severe PTSD use personal and vehicle GPS systems to keep from getting lost or disoriented when they move to more independent living after initial in-hospital recovery.

Sound too crazy to be true? Here's what a chief of rehabilitative medicine said after receiving two Wii systems from Soldiers' Angels, not long after SA became aware of the need:

We are aware of many colleagues throughout the Veterans Affairs medical system who have developed dynamic Wii programs in multiple areas, including PolyTrauma, Spinal Cord Injury/Traumatic Brain Injury, and Long Term Care...Wii gaming has great potential for physical, mental and emotional well-being. We are delighted to receive this support from Soldiers' Angels.

Click to see the entire letter:

Give it Up for the Troops!

The need is great right now--the accounts are empty and the only way the wounded will get laptops, Wiis or handheld GPS from Soldiers' Angels to assist their recovery is through the money raised by this competition. Financial times are uncertain, of course, but that doesn't change the needs out there.

Captain (now Major) Chuck Ziegenfuss used a voice-controlled
laptop after he was seriously wounded in Iraq in 2005.

This year's theme is "give up something to give to the troops." We may be worried about the future or feeling a financial pinch right now, but how many small luxuries do we spend our money on each week, luxuries that add up?: that $4 cup of gourmet coffee instead of the plain stuff that's free at work ($20 for the week), the $50 movie night out with weekend with the family when $10 would get a recently-released DVD and a couple bags of microwave popcorn (that's $40), the nice shirt on clearance at the department store that would look great on you but isn't really needed at this time ($15?)... the candybar you buy from the snack machine every afternoon to get you over the 3:00 hump ($5 a week), and on and on. The luxuries add up...

There's a lot of talk about how America as a whole isn't sacrificing for this war. How about we change that, starting with the small things?

Join us as we blog, share, and "sacrifice" something for the wounded whose sacrifice gives that very word its true meaning. Freedom isn't free, of course. And as blogger Grim says, "Project Valour-IT is for the ones that have paid some of the highest prices. The only ones who have paid more are beyond earthly help."

What are you going to give up today to give to the troops?

Fundraising Competition 2008

It's that time of year again, and the wonderful bloggers out there have stepped up to raise money for Valour-IT (the mission has expanded recently, so make sure you're up-to-date). This year we are particularly proud to have a Coast Guard team aboard.

Here are the teams for 2008 (blogrolls coming soon):

Air Force: Mudville Gazette
Army: Blackfive
Marine Corps: Doc Russia
Navy: Boston Maggie and Information Dissemination
Coast Guard: CG Blog

Please pick a branch and join the fun! The competition lasts through Thanksgiving Day.

Changing Times

In its three short years of existence, Project Valour-IT has delivered over 2,700 voice-controlled laptops to severely wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. Now it is expanding its mission to meet the technological needs of the wounded in additional ways that support their physical and psychological recovery. While continuing to supply voice-controlled laptops, and working closely with the Department of Defense caseworkers and medical personnel, Valour-IT is now committed to supplying Wii game systems and GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) systems to severely wounded veterans.

Video games and GPS systems may be luxuries or toys for some people, but they can have a powerful effect on a wounded soldier's recovery and independence. Physical therapists report Wii Sports and similar programs are extremely motivational and helpful when used in physical therapy, but they are not standard equipment in military hospitals. Wounded personnel with short-term memory loss due to TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and severe PTSD use personal and vehicle GPS systems to keep from getting lost or disoriented when they move to more independent living after initial in-hospital recovery.

In order to meet these emerging needs, Valour-IT will conduct its 4th annual online Veterans Day fundraiser beginning November 11.