The Armed Forces Foundation, a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the morale, welfare, and quality of life of the U.S. Armed Forces community, is proud to announce the completion of Super Chevy magazine's custom-built 1957 Chevy convertible that was built under the name Project American Heroes www.projectamericanheroes.net). The project, which was created to financially assist families of fallen or disabled Veterans through the Armed Forces Foundation, will be featured at one of Washington's most widely attended and prestigious galas - the 2008 Armed Forces Foundation Congressional Gala. Hundreds of guests including Congressmen, Senators, members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and injured Service Members from Walter Reed Army Hospital and the National Naval Medical Center will get the chance to view it for the last time before it lands at its final destination, the 6th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car auction in Palm Beach, Florida March 27-30, 2008. The car will then be sold to the highest bidder with all proceeds going to the Armed Forces Foundation. Watch the auction live on the Speed Channel from 12:00 - 3:00 pm EST Friday, March 28.
"This is truly a magnificent piece of work where supporters of our military community came together for a good cause," said Armed Forces Foundation President, Patricia Driscoll. "The money raised will be used to assist families of the wounded with bills, travel, funeral expenses (if necessary) and any other hardships they are facing during these stressful times."
Project American Heroes began last summer when CARS Inc. of Rochester Hills, MI and the Roadster Shop of Elgin, IL, united with the editors of Super Chevy to recreate a classic 1957 Chevrolet convertible. Armed Forces personnel were then invited to select the ultimate design for this dream vehicle including the color scheme, interior design and exterior trim via the Project American Heroes Web site (www.projectamericanheroes.net). Super Chevy covered every step of the project, following the complete build-up across multiple issues of the magazine, culminating with a special 100-page commemorative Super Chevy issue, "Building the Ultimate '57."
"We are thrilled with the participation and enthusiasm over Project American Heroes," said Super Chevy magazine publisher, Ed Zinke. "We would like to offer a special thank you to our readers for their interest, our partners who contributed their time, skill and materials, and the military personnel who helped determine the final design. Everyone's contributions made this project a huge success." Super Chevy is published by Source Interlink Media, a division of Source Interlink Companies, Inc.
The AFF was established in 2001 as a 501 (c) 3 and is a part of the U.S. Department of Defenses' America Supports You program. AFF supports Active Duty, National Guard, Veterans, reserve, & military families during their time of greatest need. With 14 programs, AFF assists with food, rent, hotel rooms for families visiting a wounded loved one, holiday gifts for military children, among many others. The Foundation has been recognized numerous times by President Bush, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Energy, the Department of Education, and other non-profits for its dedication and support of America's Service Members.