Is Wounded Warrior Project Worthy of Your Donations?

Over the past 8 years or so, I am often pulled aside and asked my thoughts on WWP – otherwise known as The Wounded Warrior Project. Their mission is sound, “To honor and empower wounded warriors” BUT their motives have led some to believe they are less then honorable.

Did the organization that started out of homes and quickly grow into massive square footage lose sight of its mission at hand?

Some say yes.

It’s not often I get an email from Lance Frank of CBSNews Investigations bringing to my attention a piece on the “rest of the story” regarding the Wounded Warrior Project.

I’ll forego my take on this piece until you get a chance to dive in and determine for yourself what this is:

Is it good journalism? Is it a hit piece brought to the attention from some 40 disgruntled veterans? Is it poor stewardship?

Take a look – then let’s dialogue. The key is to ensure our Veterans who are in need are not exploited, but rather, helped when government fails them. Is this organization part of the problem or part of a solution?

IN A CBS NEWS INVESTIGATION, MORE THAN 40 FORMER EMPLOYEES OF THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT ACCUSE THE CHARITY OF WASTING MILLIONS OF DONATED DOLLARS ON LUXURY HOTELS, LAVISH CONFERENCES AND EXPENSIVE MEALS FOR STAFF.

“IT’S WHAT THE MILITARY CALLS FRAUD, WASTE AND ABUSE,” SAYS AN IRAQ WAR VETERAN AND FORMER WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT EMPLOYEE.

In a CBS News investigation, more than 40 former employees of the Wounded Warrior Project accuse the charity of wasting millions of donated dollars on luxury hotels, lavish conferences and expensive meals for staff. These former employees, many of whom also served in the military and are wounded veterans themselves, told CBS News Correspondent Chip Reid they are concerned that Wounded Warrior Project is straying from its mission of helping veterans. The multi-part investigative series began tonight, Jan. 26 on the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH SCOTT PELLEY (6:30-7:00 PM, ET) and continues tomorrow, Jan. 27 on CBS THIS MORNING (7:00-9:00 AM) on the CBS Television Network. Additional reporting will also continue throughout the week on both broadcasts.

Click here to watch the report.

Bottom line: there are many charities that do good work. WWP may still be one of them. But are their local charities in your home town that you can invest in and see local impact? This may be worth exploring.

Michael J.R. Schindler

The Military Wire, hosted by Mike Schindler, interviews some of America’s most elite men and women who have served this country in hopes that you the listener will gain an “ah-ha” moment that will help you move your life forward.

Mike is a US Navy Veteran, an award-winning author, and has been featured on Yahoo Finance, the Boston Globe, NY Post, USA Today, Q13 Fox, and numerous other media outlets discussing why today’s Veterans are truly one of America’s Greatest Assets. Mike is the author of two highly endorsed books, “Operation Military Family: How Military Couples are Fighting to Preserve their Marriages,” and “U.S. Veterans in the Workforce: Why the 7% are America’s Greatest Asset.”

www.operationmilitaryfamily.com