From the VA Healthcare System:

On Wednesday, February 25, 2009, veterans with disabilities will be treated to a day of skiing hosted by the Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program at Holiday Valley Ski Resort in Ellicottville, New York.   Several local veterans will use this opportunity to warm up for the 23rd National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, taking place March 29 – April 3, 2009 at Snowmass, Colorado.

At the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, veterans who have spinal cord injuries, amputations, are visually impaired, or have other physical disabilities are given instruction in adaptive Alpine and Nordic skiing, and introduced to a number of other adaptive recreational activities and sports. For many newly injured Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom military service men and women, the Clinic offers their first experience in winter sports and gives them the inspiration to take their rehabilitation to a higher level.

Each year, The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) sponsors six national events for U.S. military veterans served by VA medical facilities nationwide. Each program enhances the physical, social, and emotional well-being of the veterans who participate. Other events include the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, National Veterans Golden Age Games, and National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, National Veterans Tee Tournament and National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic.  Anyone interested in donating to this worthy cause for our nation’s local heroes should contact the Voluntary Service Office at VA Western New York Healthcare System at 862-8667.