[August 12, 2014]

The Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America Recognize The DeGasperis Family Foundation as a Platinum Sponsor of 2014 National Veterans Wheelchair Games

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America are proud to announce that The DeGasperis Family Foundation, headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, will serve as a Platinum Sponsor for the 34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, which begin today, August 12 through Sunday, August 17 in Philadelphia. The DeGasperis Family Foundation has generously supported the Games since 1986 and is proud to bring three generations to volunteer at the Games each year.

"The support of our sponsors is vital to putting on an event as large as the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. We thank The DeGasperis Family Foundation for coming back year after year to support this important rehabilitative event for our disabled veterans and for their continued commitment to our veteran wheelchair athletes," said Al Kovach, national president of Paralyzed Veterans of America.

This marks the 17th year that The DeGasperis Family Foundation will sponsor he National Veterans Wheelchair Games-the largest annual wheelchair multi-sports event in the world. The DeGasperis Family Foundation will also serve as the event host sponsors for the softball competitions.

"The DeGasperis Family Foundation is proud and honored to be part of the 34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games," said Siro DeGasperis, founder of The DeGasperis Foundation.

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games, presented annually by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America, are open to all U.S. military veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition as a result of spinal cord injury, certain neurological conditions, amputations or other mobility impairments, and are focused on providing therapeutic, holistic treatments through adaptive sports. "These Games are empowering veterans with disabilities to improve their lives through sports and recreation," said Dave Tostenrude, Director of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. "The athletes return home with the attitude and information of what they can do, versus, what they cannot."

Veterans at the Wheelchair Games will compete in 18 events: air guns, archery, basketball, boccia, bowling, field, handcycling, a motorized wheelchair rally, nine ball, power soccer, quad rugby, slalom, softball, swimming, table tennis, track, trapshooting and weightlifting. This year's Wheelchair Games will also feature an exhibition of wheelchair lacrosse. Athletes compete in all events against others with similar athletic ability, competitive experience or age. For more information about the 34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, please visit www.wheelchairgames.org.

Paralyzed Veterans of America was founded by a group of seriously injured American heroes from the "Greatest Generation" of World War II. They created a nonprofit organization to meet the challenges that they faced back in the 1940s - from a medical community not ready to treat them to an inaccessible world. For more than 68 years, Paralyzed Veterans' national office and its 34 chapters across the nation have been making America a better place for all veterans and people with disabilities. (www.pva.org)

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events is the recognized world leader in rehabilitative and recreational therapies for disabled Veterans. VA promotes the rehabilitation of body and spirit by operating adaptive sports clinics and competitions around the nation. Learn more about VA's adaptive sports programs and partnerships at www.va.gov/adaptivesports.

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