The 5% for Vets Fund 2014 Recipient: Wounded Heroes Program of Maine

I had the distinct pleasure of getting to know and work alongside Pam Payeur, Executive Director of Wounded Heroes Program of Maine, last year. I chose her non-profit to be featured as the 5% for Vets Fund recipient because of her passion and love for helping wounded Veterans. Below is her mission statement:

"Warrior Legacy Foundation’s Wounded Heroes Program of Maine is a registered 501(c)(3) non profit, all volunteer organization established to support our wounded veterans when they return home after being injured in the line of duty. Once released from service due to injury, they no longer get paid. Waiting for their disability claim to be processed will take at least a year; the majority of the time, much longer. During this difficult time of transition, the expenses of daily life become overwhelming, as they are unable to work and need ongoing medical/mental health care. Wounded Heroes Program provides a safety net by paying rent, utilities, cell phone, heating oil payments and more. Wounded Heroes also provides benefits guidance and advocacy so that our veterans do not have to navigate the systems on their own. We are proud to be there for our service members in their time of need."

To achieve this mission Pam is supported by a large network of tireless volunteers all of whom, including Pam, are unpaid. Pam does not and will never take a salary for her work, she firmly believes that all money raised should go back to helping the Veterans in need. 

Being able to present her with a check at the end of the year was a great moment for me as the son of a disabled Vietnam Veteran. 

Pam Payeur and Philip Kauppinen