Ruppersberger: Healthcare Professionals Donate 1.5 Million Hotel Reward Points to Wounded Warriors

Press Release

Members of a nonprofit organization representing federal health professionals have donated more than 1.5 million hotel reward points to a program that helps defray the travel costs of wounded warriors. "Hotels for Heroes," which was created by bipartisan legislation passed by Congress, enables patriotic Americans to donate their hotel reward points to troops receiving care through the military health system as well as their families.

Sustaining Members of AMSUS, The Society of Federal Health Professionals, have donated 1,579,300 reward points from their personal accounts since February, enough to provide about 105 nights of free lodging. The organization was inspired to launch a donation drive after its past chairman saw Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger discussing the program on cable television, its leadership said.

"This is a great demonstration of the dedication and commitment of the AMSUS sustaining members on behalf of our fighting forces," said Vice Admiral Michael Cowan, executive director of AMSUS. "I express our deep gratitude to the individual SM Members who gave so generously and made this possible."

"Hotels for Heroes," which was authored by Congressman Ruppersberger and Senator Ben Cardin in 2012, is currently available to rewards customers of Marriott, Wyndham, AmericInn and Best Western hotels. The program is modeled off the national "Hero Miles" program, which was created by Congressman Ruppersberger and enables the American public to donate their frequent flyer miles to wounded warriors and their families.

"This is yet one more example of the patriotic and generous spirit of hard-working Americans," Congressman Ruppersberger said. "The AMSUS contribution to this program -- which often brings family and friends to the bedsides of recovering wounded warriors -- is inspiring. I commend all members who donated to this worthy cause."

"We all want what is best for our wounded warriors and now the incredible professionals of AMSUS have provided a generous gift that will help ensure support is available to more of our troops and their families in times of need," said Senator Cardin. "The success of the "Hotels for Heroes' program continues to be in the great partnerships that allow Americans to help those who have served our country so bravely."

"Hotels for Heroes" is administered by the Fisher House, a non-profit organization that opens its homes to military families visiting their injured loved ones at hospitals across the country. So far, the program has provided nearly 3,000 free nights to military families

"Thanks to generous donations like this, "Hotels for Heroes' has already saved families over $400,000 in lodging costs, and served nearly 700 families," said Ken Fisher, Chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation. "We thank AMSUS and all their members for their generous donations."

AMSUS represents nearly 8,000 members in all healthcare disciplines and serve in the Active and Reserve Components of all of the uniformed services as well as the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. AMSUS created the Sustaining Members Section in 1953 to bring together private healthcare industry representatives with key Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Public Health Service decision-makers.

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