OCCOQUAN, VA — May 29, 2024. Last week, Patriots for Disabled Divers (PFDD) received a $5,000 donation from All-American Hawkins-Reeve Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7916. PFDD has received donations from Post 7916’s charitable fund and their family Auxiliary group on numerous occasions over the past decade.
When asked about the donation, PFDD Fundraising Chair Merial Currer said, “We’re honored and grateful to have the support of Post 7916 in our continuing mission to bring the therapeutic benefits of scuba diving to veterans in need.” This donation will cover the scuba diving training costs for five injured veterans selected for PFDD’s scholarship program. Each is a lifetime certification, ensuring these veterans have access to the benefits of scuba diving for life.
Founded in 2013, PFDD provides therapeutic scuba diving programs to injured veterans. The initial idea for this 501(c)3 non-profit sparked when founders Jeff and Merial Currer assisted a paralyzed Marine in learning to walk again through hydrotherapy and scuba diving. Since that time, PFDD has made diving accessible to over 1,000 injured veterans across the nation through an ever-growing network of affiliate dive centers, all specially trained in adaptive diving.
All-American Hawkins-Reeve Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7916 was organized on June 27, 1946, in Occoquan, VA, by a group of thirty-seven combat veterans of World War II. Since that time, Post 7916 has earned the prestigious “All American” performance designation seven times, placing it in the top 0.01% of VFW posts worldwide. This June, the post will celebrate its 78th anniversary.
The five injured veterans supported by this donation have yet to be named. However, they will be selected from the communities surrounding Occoquan to honor the support this local chapter of the VFW provides. If you would like to make your own contribution, please visit PFDD’s website.
For further information contact:
Merial Currer
Fundraising Chair, PFDD