The models are happy with the calendar donation to the troops
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Amateur Photographer Donates Portion of Calendar Sales to Wounded Warrior Project
“Girls of Brazil 2009 Swimsuit Calendar” profits to help support and empower injured service men and women
MISSOULA, Mont., Sept. 10, 2008 — Within the next two weeks, thousands of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan will receive an out-of-the-ordinary gift: their own personal copy of the “Girls of Brazil 2009 Swimsuit Calendar” (http://www.girlsofbrazilcalendar.com). The calendar’s photographer and creator, Jeremiah Thompson of Missoula, Mont., has put aside 5,000 free copies for the soldiers serving overseas. What’s more, Thompson is donating a portion of every calendar sold to the Wounded War Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org), an organization that strives to support and empower injured service men and women.
“We are currently collecting soldiers’ addresses, and the calendars will go out within two weeks,” Thompson says. “We hope this gift brings a small bit of happiness to a monotonous and difficult place. When they look at my calendar, they won’t just see 15 breathtakingly beautiful women, but a reminder of my support for them as they serve in the line of duty.”
The “Girls of Brazil 2009 Swimsuit Calendar” was born out of a dream — Thompson’s desire to become a professional swimsuit photographer. When he traveled to Florianopolis, the capital city of the Santa Caterina State in Southern Brazil last year, he found himself shooting gorgeous Brazilian beach babes who loved to be photographed, even without compensation. Donating to the Wounded Warrior Program is Thompson’s way of “giving back.” The son of a retired Lt. Colonel, who served in the Army Corp of Engineers and several tours of duty in Korea and Germany, Thompson grew up in the United States military family. This upbringing fostered a deep respect for U.S. soldiers, their sense of honor and amazingly steadfast loyalty.
“I wanted to give some portion of my calendar sales to a worthy cause, and it was just natural for me to give back to the military based on my childhood experiences,” Thompson says. “I watched military men and women unselfishly give of themselves, and how their families supported and defended these soldiers alongside them. I can’t say enough about these people, and actions do speak louder than words, so that’s why I’m donating to the Wounded Warrior Project, contributing in a way that I can.”
Founded as a non-profit organization, The Wounded Warrior Project provides tangible support to service men and women, helping them heal both physically and mentally. It provides services and programs that directly assist the wounded and enable severely injured service members to aid each other. In additional, the Wounded Warrior Project raises awareness of and enlists public support for injured service members.
“The Wounded Warrior Project is effective because it gives these injured soldiers some hope,” Thompson says. “It inspires them to help themselves and each other, and this approach is vital to their lifelong success.”
For more information, visit http://www.girlsofbrazilcalendar.com.
