Past DPF recipient, Bryan Anderson, speaks about his new book, “No Turning Back”.
View Video
From: Skirts and Scuffs Website
The Disabled Patriot Fund, NASCAR and TMS team up to surprise a Texas disabled vet
Posted by LJC on 11/06/2011 12:23:00 PM.
Kenny Kalish says he’s a happy person. The 22-year-old Tomball, Texas, resident spent the weekend enjoying the VIP treatment at Texas Motor Speedway. An avid NASCAR fan, Kalish was excited about his behind-the-scenes tour, just like every other fan at the Great American Speedway would be if they had the same chance.
 But Kenny gets around a little differently from the rest of us.. He’s got leg prostheses and he’s got 4 arms, two of which are electric, courtesy of an IED explosion on April 7, 2011, in Afghanistan.
“We were clearing a bazaar, and had just found and exploded an IED,” Kalish said. “At first I didn’t know I was hurt. I just thought something exploded. Then my Corpsman told me I would be okay.” Kalish says he looked down at his injuries, had a “freak-out minute”, then helped apply the tourniquet to his arm. He credits his fellow corpsmen for saving his life, describing how one, his best friend, stayed next to him and held his hand until the helicopter came.
He’s got an amazingly upbeat attitude, focusing on the positives. He joked that “at least he doesn’t have to worry about getting arthritis in his knees.”
On a weekend where the storyline is black hats vs. white hats, Marine Corporal Kenny Kalish is a reminder that, to paraphrase Brad Keselowski, the drivers are not heroes, they’re just guys who drive cars. Kenny, however, is a true hero who lost both legs and an arm in service of his country.
This weekend, NASCAR teamed up with Texas Motor Speedway and the Disabled Patriot Fund to present Corporal Kalish with a handicapped-accessible vehicle so that he can regain a part of the freedom he gave up defending the freedoms of his fellow countryment.
The Disabled Patriot Fund is a 501c3 organization founded in 2004 in Orland Park, Illinois. They’ve disbursed over 1.5 million to assist wounded service members and this weekend, with the help of TMS and NASCAR, made Corporal Kenny Kalish a happy man.
To donate to the Disabled Patriot Fund, visit www.disabledpatriotfund.com or call 708-949-6050.
November 6, 2001
Surprise Gift of Mobility for Wounded Warrior
Triple Amputee Corproal Kenny Kalish was surprised with a fully-equipped, wheelchair accesible truck on Sunday
KDAF – Dallas /Fortworth
View Video
November 3, 2011
Biondi, Pepe’s team up to help disabled vets
BY GINGER BRASHINGER Correspondent
 Legendary rock n’ roll disc jockey Dick Biondi packed them in Thursday night at Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant in Tinley Park for a special “Remember our Veterans” event.
Joined by about a dozen members of Tinley Park VFW Post 2791 and members of the Disabled Patriot Fund, a local nonprofit organization, Biondi entertained the crowd during his live, four-hour broadcast on WLS-FM (94.7).
“This is the most loyal audience in the United States,” Biondi said of his Chicago-area fans. “I love what I do, and the most important thing to me is the audience, making them happy.”
A steady stream of patrons began arriving at the restaurant, 6911 W. 159th St., about an hour before the 7 p.m. broadcast and continued throughout the evening.
“I heard the voice,” Dora Koop, 58, of Willow Springs, said when she entered the restaurant. “It was part of growing up at the time, listening to Dick Biondi.”
Koop, wearing a huge military support patch that covered the entire back of her jacket, said she and her husband, Russ, were there to hear Biondi and support the Disabled Patriot Fund.
Army veteran Phil Bell, 35, of Orland Park, was one of several disabled vets who came out for the event on behalf of the Disabled Patriot Fund, which receives 10 percent of each “Patriot Platter” sold by the 47 Chicago-area Pepe’s restaurants during November.
Bell said that when he was injured by a land mine in 2006, the Disabled Patriot Fund paid for his trips home and has helped him with medical and rehabilitation bills and equipment.
“Whenever I have an issue, they try to help me out in any way they can,” Bell said.
Orland Park residents Andi Borucke and Mary Corrigan said they wouldn’t miss an event with Biondi, especially when it involved support for the troops.
“Every year, he’s at the fundraiser for the veterans at Brother Rice,” Borucke said. “We heard he was going to be here, we’re here, and anytime we can help the vets, help the vets.”
Prior to the broadcast, Biondi was presented with Post 2791’s “Challenge Coin,” which is given to those who show strong support for the troops.
“I think everyone should contribute to the veterans, especially since these disabled men and women and their families have done so much for us,” Biondi said. “This is just our way of saying thank you.”
Anyone interested in contributing to the Disabled Patriot Fund can visit its website at www.disabled
patriotfund.com.
Click on the link below to view more photos from the event.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/disabledpatriotfund/6648235173/in/photostream
On October 7, 2011, The Disabled Patriot Fund with the help of Enzenbergar & Mitchell Auto Rebuilders of Bridgeview, presented injured soldier, Joshua Gartner, with a vehicle. Joshua suffers from PTSD, shrapnel and burns to both legs.
On August 30, 2011, the EP Maxwell J. Schleifer Distinguished Service Award was presented to DPF Board member, Mike Ford, for the time and energy that he gave to the building and sale of the Patriot Home that raised $150,000 for the Disabled Patriot Fund.
The DPF’s Annual Golf Outing on July 7, 2011, raised approximately $40,000 for the fund. Thank you to Board member Dave Wagner, who put the entire event together.
This year, the DPF presented a check to Danielle Green-Byrd who sacrificed her arm for our country.
Click on the link below and enjoy the photos.
The Disabled Patriot Fund with the help of Enzenbergar & Mitchell Auto Rebuilders of Bridgeview, presented a vehicle to Zaneta Adams.
Patrick Sullivan, DPF Board Member worked with Zaneta. Patrick would also like to extend a “thank you” to Kara Sullivan of the Sec of State of Illinois, who was tremendously helpful in expediting and cutting the title and licensing process time and paperwork by personally handling the paperwork and then overnighting the title and licensing material to the DPF. Kara made it possible for the DPF to meet the deadline dates in delivering this vehicle with full title to Zaneta on a timely basis.
The DPF was approached by different companies willing to contribute to the production, space and time for a number of billboards located throughout Chicagoland.
The DPF Board approved the purchase of a vehicle for Jeremy Votaw. On Friday, October 22, 2010, Pat Sullivan presented the keys to a van with help from Enzenberger & Mitchell in Bridgeview.
 Jeremy Votaw Van Presentation
The Disabled Patriot Fund with the help of Sam McGuire’s Pub in Orland Park, hosted a fundraiser featuring American English, “A Beatles Tribute” on September 10, 2010. This event raised approximately $5,000 for the fund. Thank you to the DPF wounded hero recipients that attended – Kenny Carleton-Smith, Dan Casara, Jason Wheeler and Juan Arreola.
6TH ANNUAL DPF GOLF OUTING
On July 8, 2010, Disabled Patriot Fund hosted the 6th Annual Golf Outing at Green Garden County Club in Frankfort. A HUGE thanks go out to Green Garden for their generous donation of both courses for this fundraiser! This fundraiser raised over $35,000 for the fund. Thank you to past DPF recipients that this event – Dan Casara, Chad Watson, Danielle Green-Byrd, Kenny Carleton-Smith, Phil Bell and Karl Newman.
Thank you to all of the sponsors of this golf outing that helped make it a big success. They include:
TOM CONNOR
DAN GALLAGHER
SEAN HOGAN
JAMES OLSON
AILEEN S. ANDREW FOUNDATION
CHELLINO CRANE, INC.
CHICAGO RIDGE FPD LODGE 12
ORLAND PARK ROTARY CLUB
RAYNER & RINN-SCOTT, INC.
SCHAAF WINDOWS CO., INC.
SCHILLING BROS. LUMBER CO.
TASSOS ENTERPRISES, INC.
3748 N. DAMEN, LLC
T.J. LAMBRECHT CONSTRUCTION
Thank you also to those names who may not be listed.
COCKTAIL PARTY FUNDRAISING EVENT – BUTTERFIELD COUNTRY CLUB, OAK BROOK
On June 16, 2010, Pat Sullivan, a DPF Board Member and John Calhoun, of Central Steel and Wire Co., put this fundraising event together raising approximately $30,000 for the organization.
It was a very heartwarming event. All guests had the opportunity to see just what our wounded heroes have sacrificed for our freedom! Thank you to our wounded heroes that attended this event – Steve Baskiz, Gage Garriga, Dan Casara and Sergio Lopez.
Click Here to View Pictures
|
