UPDATED with new information… 1500 hrs, Nov 14.
Tom Gresham posted a series of emails back and forth he and his people had with Leslie Coleman, the director of public relations for the Wounded Warrior Project, after offering WWP an opportunity to promote their cause on his nationally distributed Gun Talk Radio show.
In the email exchange, the Wounded Warriors director of public relations declined the invitation, citing “WWP does not co-brand, create cause marketing campaigns or receive a percentage or a portion of proceeds from companies in which the product or message is sexual, political or religious in nature, or from alcohol or firearms companies.”
[Update: No mention on why it was okay to do events (1 2) at the Playboy Mansion in the past, but they can’t do a radio show dealing with guns?]
Gresham asked for further clarification (the emails are below), and was met with the following explanation from the PR director: “Our position regarding firearms and alcohol is in response to the struggles that many injured service members face with substance abuse and suicide and the roles those items often play in those issues.”
So, Wounded Warriors feels that gun-related endeavors are to be shunned.
Guns Save Life called and left a message on Leslie Coleman’s mobile phone asking for clarification and the message has not been returned.
In the meantime, we did some research and found Wounded Warrior pays its Executive Director quite handsomely.
| $319,692 | 0.55% | Steven Nardizzi | Executive Director |
Further research showed that for the fiscal year ending September 2011, Wounded Warrior Project collected $74 million dollars and had total functional expenses exceeding $57 million.
| REVENUE | |
| Total Contributions | $70,145,724 |
| Program Service Revenue | $0 |
| Total Primary Revenue | $70,145,724 |
| Other Revenue | $3,912,624 |
| TOTAL REVENUE | $74,058,348 |
| EXPENSES | |
| Program Expenses | $31,782,076 |
| Administrative Expenses | $4,669,208 |
| Fundraising Expenses | $21,306,030 |
| TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES | $57,757,314 |
| Payments to Affiliates | $0 |
| Excess (or Deficit) for the year | $16,301,034 |
| Net Assets | $30,357,444 |
We feel that the philosophy of the Wounded Warrior Project, as articulated by its director of public relations, to be one of denigrating guns and gun ownership.
Alternatives to Wounded Warrior Project
As such, we researched other charities that support wounded veterans as well as respecting our firearm rights, and with the potential to do so much more efficiently than Wounded Warriors.
Special Operations Warriors Foundation
The Semper Fi Fund (A very highly-rated charity that helps wounded vets of all branches)
Still no response from Wounded Warrior Project.
by Gun Talk on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10:56am ·
After Sunday’s show, we’ve gotten many emails about Tom’s remarks after WWP declined an interview request on Gun Talk Radio because it’s a firearms-related show. We’ve also seen the forums that are suggesting many things that are not true. So, I’m going to lay it all out right here.
We thought it would be great to book the WWP on the Veteran’s Day show to promote the organization, so I contacted them. I was flabbergasted when their PR contact, Leslie, sent me an email saying they could not participate because our show dealt with firearms. Knowing that WWP has had a booth at trade shows and various gun shows across the US, takes wounded warriors on hunts and range days, raffles guns and accessories as fundraisers, etc., their policy didn’t make much sense. I forwarded the email on to Tom to get his take.
-Sarah
The following is the complete email exchange:
====================
Hello, Leslie:
Sarah forwarded me your email after I asked her to invite the Wounded Warriors Project to join me on “Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk” radio show.
I’m stunned at your email saying that the WWP doesn’t participate in an interview or activity related to firearms. Inasmuch as there are 90 million gun owners and most of them support wounded veterans, I think they would be shocked to hear that they are, by way of their hobbies, somehow not worthy of helping with the Wounded Warriors Project.
Does your policy apply also to police agencies and the military, since they are “related to firearms?”
I’m hoping that we have misunderstood your email. Can you confirm that it is, in fact, an official policy of the Wounded Warriors Project to not do interviews with or participate in any activity related to firearms?
Thank you.
Tom Gresham
============
Good afternoon —
While we appreciate your interest in Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) you are correct that we decline the media opportunity.
Please note the following notice that appears on our website which also applies to WWP public awareness policy and inquiries from media outlets:
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/additional-opportunities.aspx
WWP does not co-brand, create cause marketing campaigns or receive a percentage or a portion of proceeds from companies in which the product or message is sexual, political or religious in nature, or from alcohol or firearms companies.
Thank you for your inquiry.
LESLIE A. COLEMAN
public relations director
O: 904.405.1433
M: 904.654.8138
F: 904.296.7347
Wounded Warrior Project
4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300
Jacksonville, Florida 32256
====================
Thanks for confirming that, Leslie. It was a simple opportunity to promote the WWP on a national program in an effort to send donations your way.
I’ll pass along the info that you don’t want or need the help of America’s gun owners.
Best regards,
Tom Gresham
=====================
Good morning —
This policy is not a judgment on those who own and use firearms – clearly every member of our armed forces has been trained in the use of firearms and then called on to use them in the course of their service to this country.
Our position regarding firearms and alcohol is in response to the struggles that many injured service members face with substance abuse and suicide and the roles those items often play in those issues.
Thank you.
LESLIE A. COLEMAN
public relations director
=============================
Hello, Leslie:
Thank you for that explanation.
I do think — and I’m being as kind as possible — that it’s the nuttiest thing I’ve heard in years. Suicides are not linked to firearms. Japan has a much higher rate of suicide than does the U.S., and they have essentially no firearms. Suicide is a serious issue irrespective of the methodology used.
This explanation doesn’t pass even the most simple “does this make sense” test.
Your policy does, in fact, brand firearms and the companies which make them as undesirables, and by association, you are saying that those who own and use firearms for recreation, hunting, self protection, and other safe and legal uses are to be avoided.
It’s certainly your option to ostracize the firearms industry, the 90 million gun owners in America, and the media which support firearms safety training.
At this point, I feel an obligation to make sure the millions who listen to my radio show and watch my two national television series know about your policy.
I cannot fully express how much I feel you are doing a disservice to our wounded veterans, and how disappointed I am to discover this bias at the Wounded Warriors Project.
Sincerely,
Tom Gresham
I assume they declined the $300 donation from DCSC, correct?
LOL! Awaiting news on that front.
Sounds as though it wouldn’t be acceptable per their terms of support.
I have a feeling my WWP shirt may be ablaze Friday afternoon in a photo shoot.
John
I am a donor to WWP and find all of this information on the net damaging to the cause of the WWP. WWP is an organization that helps our wounded warriors, an excellent cause. So they have a policy that needs review, or does it? So they turned down an interview. I don’t find anywhere that they are anti-gun and feel this situation has been completely blown up for what? Does it help Wounded Warrior Project with its mission to help our vets? No. Are they anti gun? No. So because of an internal policy that may be a little vague that insulted a radio host, damn the organization and give them so much bad publicity their efforts are hurt. The radio show was supposedly to help WWP, now it seems that radio show is out to shame and hurt WWP. I’m saddended by this.
People out to make a buck or hurt others, not for me. I support WWP and have never seen anything where they are anti gun.