Disabled American Veterans Receive GE Foundation Donation to Aid in Soldier Recovery

Washington D.C. – Disabled American Veterans (DAV), an organization focused on building better lives for disabled veterans and their families, today announced a donation from GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of GE that will assist in care at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

“The Disabled American Veterans is pleased to be able to help bolster the morale and improve the quality of life for these wounded warriors during their recovery and rehabilitation,” said DAV National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson. “GE Foundation’s generosity helps expand DAV’s service to our nation’s defenders and honor their courage and sacrifice.”

While spending time recovering at Walter Reed, soldiers can endure monotony, long waits between appointments, loneliness and certainly suffer from pain. The GE Foundation donation will work to alleviate some of these circumstances by providing:

• Electronic gaming for rehabilitation and amusement. The rehabilitative features of these devices aid in development of hand eye coordination and memory improvement. A further benefit is the distraction provided to soldiers as they wait for medical appointments.
• International Calling Cards to allow soldiers to connect with family members who live abroad.
• Culinary skill development to help soldiers learn how to prepare nutritious food as well as work to alleviative the fear that is often associated with eating at a restaurant after suffering a physical injury.
• Workout clothing for physical therapy. This is a product that will be with the soldiers throughout their rehabilitation. It is an absolute necessity to their recovery. Soldiers will be able to use the quality clothing provided for activities both recreational and rehabilitative.

“At GE we employ more than 10,000 U.S. veterans in our workforce and continue to actively recruit veterans for their leadership, integrity and commitment to hard work,” said Bob Corcoran, president and chairman of the GE Foundation. “By facilitating a more engaging and active recovery, we are pleased to help soldiers with a more comfortable recovery.”

Since 2007 GE and the GE Foundation have given more than $2 million dollars to DAV. These grants allow the DAV Transition Service Program to be significantly expanded. GE is a proud sponsor of the 35th Annual Marine Corps Marathon and has been named a top Military Friendly Employer for seven consecutive years by GI Jobs Magazine.

About Disabled American Veterans
The 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932, represents this nation’s disabled veterans. It is dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for our nation’s disabled veterans and their families. For more information, visit the organization’s Web site www.dav.org.

About the GE Foundation
The GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company, works to solve some of the world’s most difficult problems. In coordination with its partners, it supports U.S. and international education, developing health globally, the environment, public policy, human rights and disaster relief. In addition, the GE Foundation supports GE employee and retiree giving and involvement in GE communities around the world. In 2009, the entire GE family — including businesses, employees, retirees and GE Foundation — contributed more than an estimated $220 million to community and educational programs, including more than $100 million from GE Foundation. For more information, visit www.gefoundation.com.

About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world’s toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.ge.com.