Welcome to Toppers for Troopers! We are a donation program associated with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, Maryland. WRNMMC is the largest military medical facility in the United States, caring for those who were injured in combat, or are ill. They treat active service members, retired service members, and beneficiaries (ie spouse, and children) of service members. WRNMMC is a state of the art facility that utilizes cutting edge science, medicine, and rehabilitation methods to treat our nation’s heroes.
ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
After receiving approval from the Rear Admiral, we are excited to launch our program Toppers for Troopers, April 2013! Through our program we look forward to providing more “tools” to the WRNMMCs’ “Look Good Feel Better Program.” This program teaches patients who are suffering from alopecia (loss of hair) either from injury, illness or treatment, how to regain a new self image. They use makeup techniques, wigs, hairpieces, scarves and hats to sculpt the new look and teach individuals to more comfortably live in their new body.
INSPIRATION FOR PROGRAM
Encore Ballroom Couture Owner Julie Wilson was nominated and accepted for the Department of Defenses’ 84th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference based on her academic, professional and humanitarian accomplishments. She was the youngest participant on her tour and it was held July 2012. She spent a week traveling around the United States visiting with each branch of the military, learning about daily life as a service member. At the conclusion of her tour, she spent a day at WRNMMC learning about treatment and life long care for wounded warriors, veterans, and service member’s families. It was then she learned of the need for this type of donation program. Julie feels this program will fit in nicely with Encore Ballroom Couture as we have access to individuals in the performance and entertainment industry who utilize many forms of head adornment on a frequent basis. Two weeks prior to her tour, Julie had cleaned out her hair drawers throwing many of her hair items away in a big garbage bag. She wished this program had existed so that all of her hairpieces could have gone to a good cause. Julie hopes this program will now be a great avenue for other performers, entertainers, and private citizens to positively affect those service members and families who help protect and pursue freedom around the world.
WHAT TO DONATE
New or like new hats
New or like new skull caps
New or like new scarves
New or like new hairpieces
New or like new clip-in extensions
New or like new clip-in bangs
New or like new wigs
A generic note of encouragement
