CHALLENGE AMERICA INITIATIVE LAUNCHES TO INSPIRED AUDIENCE AT THE JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IN WASHINGTON, DC
Hosted By Amy Grant and Vince Gill with Michael McDonald, Alison Krauss, Darius Rucker, Mac McAnally, Melinda Doolittle, NY Times Bestselling Author Stephen Mansfield and Bob Woodruff in Support of Returning Injured Veterans

Washington, DC (June 11 , 2009) – The Challenge America initiative to support returning injured veterans and their families by virally networking recreation, jobs and housing programs through ChallengeAmerica.com, recently launched with a rare musical event played to an inspired audience on the stage of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

The night, hosted by Amy Grant and Vince Gill, was filled with poignant stories from ABC’s Bob Woodruff, NY Times Best-Selling author Stephen Mansfield and music from Grant, Gill, Michael McDonald, Alison Krauss, Darius Rucker, Melinda Doolittle and Mac McAnally.

“Challenge America provides each of us the opportunity to help to satisfy our injured Veteran’s simple need for a job, a home and the chance to recreate with their families when they arrive home and begin to heal,” remarked Houston Cowan, Founder of Challenge America and Co-Founder/CEO of Challenge Aspen, the adaptive sport, cultural and competitive sporting group from which Challenge America extends. “This Kennedy Center launch is the first step in an effort to give back to the men and women who have served us so well. ChallengeAmerica.com will continue to add comprehensive local and national resources in the area of jobs, housing finance and life-building recreation,” he added.

“Challenge America begins with each one of us. There is no small effort and every one of us can do something that has impact on Veterans living in our own community,” adds Amy Grant. “Whether you’re a basketball coach who starts a wheelchair basketball league on Saturdays in your community or you’re a banker who finds ways to connect an injured Veteran with a loan or a job, all of us can help in our own small way. The challenges are great and the possibilities are greater,” she says.

Dr. and Mrs. Michael Morykwas were 4-Star General Sponsors for the launch event and received recognition in a special award presentation from Houston Cowan and Amy Grant for their dedication to Challenge America. Dr. Morykwas invented the VAC, a medical device credited with saving countless lives of injured veterans. Upon receiving the award, Dr. Morykwas announced that he would match his own sponsorship contribution. The American Red Cross, and its affiliated philanthropic group The Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders, was also a key sponsor of the event. Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairman of the Board, gave and received special thanks.

Challenge America (http://www.challengeamerica.com)