Eden salutes wounded military veterans with free, week-long Perdido Key vacations
Eden salutes wounded military veterans with free, week-long Perdido Key vacations
Two dozen wounded American military veterans and their families will soon enjoy a one week stay in paradise, thanks to Eden Condominiums. It’s the fifth consecutive year that owners and management of the luxury beachfront property have offered Perdido Key vacations as a way to give back to U.S. military. Veterans and their families will begin arriving on September 15.
Eden’s “Wounded Warriors Week” began in 2014, when one Eden owner offered his unit to a wounded veteran as a gesture of thanks for his service. As word spread, other Eden owners joined in and the effort quickly took off.
In 2019, Operation ReConnect, a nonprofit organization established to link veterans to beachfront properties, will officially take over Eden’s Wounded Warriors Week. By then, Eden will have welcomed some 350 veterans and family members into luxury beachfront accommodations for a week of fun and sun. For some, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“It has been a privilege and an honor to host our warriors and their families at Eden,” said April Adams, rental manager at Eden. She adds that generous support from individuals, organizations and businesses has enabled Eden to expand the program well beyond its original scope. “Because of local donors, our visitors do not have to pay for some of their meals, gas, snacks and activities, which eases their financial burden and helps them truly relax and enjoy themselves.”
Two military veteran organizations, Wounded War Heroes and the Wounded Warrior Project, help to coordinate the week-long event at Eden, and the local USO Northwest Florida has been a generous supporter for several years.
There is a big need for snacks, meals, fruit and kid-friendly treats. (Cash contributions will be used to help cover the costs of these as well). Free beach access and free access to state parks would be very helpful, according to Adams. All contributions to Eden’s Wounded Warriors Week are sincerely appreciated. To contribute, email April Adams at rental@perdido-key.com or call 850-492-3336.