Craftmatic® Adjustable Beds and leading nonprofit donate bed to local severely wounded Colorado Springs veteran

Colorado Springs, CO -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/25/2008 -- Staff Sergeant Emer Zapanta, U.S. Army, was severely injured in a mortar attack on his base camp in Iraq in July of 2007, when one of 17 mortars burst through the glass window of the building he was in. The mortar lacerated a major artery in his left arm, and also several nerves. He lost a good amount of blood, and was evacuated to Germany, and eventually on to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to begin recovering his now limp left arm and hand.

"I first joined the Army in 1999, and was stationed in Korea," said Zapanta. "On my second deployment to Iraq in 2007 I was injured, and have been recovering ever since. Not only is it a painful and long recovery, it is hard for me to sleep at night because I have obstructive sleep apnea."

This week, Zapanta learned that he might be able to sleep a little easier while he is at home, because the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, CSAH, the leading nongovernmental provider of emergency financial aid to severely wounded troops from the War on Terror, and Craftmatic® Adjustable Beds are donating a bed to him, free-of-charge because of his service.

"Craftmatic is extremely proud to be able to offer Staff Sergeant Zapanta this new bed," said Eric Kraftsow, Elevation Bed, LLC owners of the Craftmatic trademark. "Through the Craftmatic Cares program we have been honored to deliver a new bed to a wounded veteran each week this year; it has truly been a humbling experience. I hope that now Emer will be able to sleep soundly through the night."

Craftmatic and CSAH have teamed up to donate one bed a week in 2008 to a severely wounded veteran, through CSAH's Family Support Network and the Craftmatic Cares program.

CSAH and Craftmatic first met Zapanta at the Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute, the largest gathering of severely wounded troops in Orlando, FL sponsored by CSAH last December. When they learned about his incredible story, they knew that he had to be the next veteran to receive a free Craftmatic bed, courtesy of Elevation Beds, owners of the Craftmatic ® trademark.

Currently, Zapanta is still recovering at Walter Reed, but often travels back home to Colorado Springs in between surgeries. His wife Jocelyn often comes with him back to Walter Reed, as well as their three children. Zapanta expects to begin the medical discharge process in June or July of this year.

For more information about Craftmatic, please visit www.CraftmaticCares.com.

For more information about CSAH, please visit www.saluteheroes.org.

About Craftmatic Adjustable Beds:
Craftmatic® Adjustable Beds first began marketing electrically adjustable beds specifically designed for use in the world's bedrooms over 30 years ago. Today, Craftmatic is one of the world's best known and respected trademarks for quality products. Craftmatic Adjustable beds are available in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.

Over 1,000,000 Craftmatic Adjustable Beds are now in use in customer bedrooms around the world and attest to the fact that our unique beds are as durable as they are attractive and comfortable.

For more information, please visit http://www.CraftmaticCares.com.

About the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes:
The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes is a 501 (c)(3), non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to helping the severely wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families rebuild their lives. The organization is the top nongovernmental association helping wounded troops from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and since its 2004 inception, has assisted over 6,000 troops.

Over $11 million dollars has been distributed to date to prevent car repossessions and utility shut-offs while trips to sporting events, entertainment parks, and shows help service members boost morale, break the boredom of the routine of recuperation and help reintegrate wounded troops into civilian life. The annual all expense paid Road to Recovery Conference provides seminars, career counseling, job fairs, evaluations, and inspirational success stories.

For more information or to learn how you can help, please visit the website at http://www.saluteheroes.org.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Leading military nonprofit teams up with Craftmatic® Industries to combat looming sleep problem that affects 82% of severely wounded veterans

Miami Beach, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/06/2008 -- Local Palm Bay veteran, Petty Officer 1st Class Peter Reid, U.S. Navy (Ret.), will be able to sleep easier on Thursday when he and wife Michele receive their new Craftmatic® Adjustable Bed, free-of-charge. Craftmatic and the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (CSAH), the leading nongovernmental provider of emergency financial aid to severely wounded veterans from the War on Terror, have teamed up to give away one bed a week in 2008 to severely wounded veterans through the Craftmatic Cares program.

A recent survey found that 82% of severely wounded troops from the War on Terror have reported to have trouble getting to sleep once they return home from overseas. CSAH and Craftmatic are hoping to combat this problem with their new partnership.

"Pete and I are so excited to receive this new Craftmatic bed," said Michele Reid. "With Pete's injuries, I know that once we get the new bed he will be able to get to sleep faster, and sleep more soundly. We really want to thank the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes and Craftmatic for their gracious donation."

Peter was severely injured in Iraq in 2004 when a mortar bounced off of his leg in an ambush. He also lost an eye, sustained severe brain injury, was paralyzed to the left side of his body and a mass of shrapnel wedged into his brain that caused severe blood clots. He was given a one per cent chance of survival from his doctors.

Today, Pete has undergone many surgeries, including bone and muscle transplants to save his right leg from amputation, the removal of his left eye, and major brain operations. He also continues to suffer with severe pain, seizures, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). Because of these injuries, Reid still suffers from short-term memory loss, impaired reasoning skills and loss of impulse control. He has a disability rating of 100%.

"Our company is pleased to be able to present Peter Reid with a new Craftmatic bed," said Eric Kraftsow, Elevation Bed, LLC, the owners of the Craftmatic trademark. "We are proud to be able to honor the brave sacrifices that Peter, and others like him, have made for our country."

CSAH identifies deserving troops and Craftmatic sends them a bed – no strings attached – as a way of showing appreciation for their sacrifice through the Craftmatic Cares program.

About Craftmatic® Adjustable Beds:
Craftmatic® Adjustable Beds first began marketing electrically adjustable beds specifically designed for use in the world's bedrooms over 30 years ago. Today, Craftmatic is one of the world's best known and respected trademarks for quality products. Craftmatic Adjustable beds are available in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.

Over 1,000,000 Craftmatic Adjustable Beds are now in use in customer bedrooms around the world and attest to the fact that our unique beds are as durable as they are attractive and comfortable.

For more information, please visit http://www.CraftmaticCares.com.

About the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes:
The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes is a 501 (c)(3), non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to helping the severely wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families rebuild their lives. The organization is the top nongovernmental association helping wounded troops from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and since its 2004 inception, has assisted over 6,000 troops.

Over $11 million dollars has been distributed to date to prevent car repossessions and utility shut-offs while trips to sporting events, entertainment parks, and shows help service members boost morale, break the boredom of the routine of recuperation and help reintegrate wounded troops into civilian life. The annual all-expense-paid Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute provides seminars, career counseling, job fairs, evaluations, and inspirational success stories.

CSAH has partnered with numerous celebrities including LeAnn Rimes, Dave Matthews Band, Gary Sinise, Toby Keith, Charlie Daniels, Regis Philbin and Big & Rich and Fortune 500 corporations like Kellogg's, GNC and GM, to help further our cause.

For more information or to learn how you can help, please visit the website at http://www.saluteheroes.org.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Leading nonprofit partners with Bay Area Builders Association to construct handicap accessible home from ground up for Lt. Erasimo Valles and family

Miami Beach, FL and Ossining, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/21/2008 -- The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (CSAH), the leading nongovernmental provider of emergency financial aid for severely wounded veterans from the War on Terror, has stepped in to donate $40,000 to help build a new handicapped accessible home for a severely wounded Iraq veteran.

Lt. Erasimo Valles, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) was wounded in Iraq in March of 2004 when the Humvee that he was riding in ran over an anti-tank mine. The engine was shoved into his lap, trapping him inside the vehicle. Somehow he managed to pull himself out only to find that his legs were turned around in the opposite direction.

"My first thought was that I needed to survive so that I could see my newborn son, Lorenzo Joseph, who was six weeks old and I had not yet met," said Lt. Valles.

Valles lost one leg in the incident, and is in danger of losing another. The home that he and his wife shared with their three children was not handicap accessible, and proved to be a problem for the wounded hero.

This is when the Bay Area Builders Association and the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes stepped in.

"The Bay Area Builders Association began building handicap accessible homes for wounded veterans from the War on Terror in 2005," said Dan Wallrath, President of the

Bay Area Builders Association Support Our Troops, Inc., which was started by the Bay Area Builders Association. "We are extremely honored and excited to be able to build this home for Lt. Valles and his family. It is the least we could do to honor his courageous sacrifice. This project would not have been possible without the generous donations from the suppliers, contractors, the community, and of course the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes."



The costs of building this home is estimated to be around $300,000 of which there was a large amount raised by suppliers and contractors, but $41,400 was still needed to pay for the lot. This is where CSAH stepped in and donated the remainder to pay for the land.

"The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes works tirelessly every day to ensure that our wounded heroes are taken care of once they return home injured from overseas," said Tom Palma, general manager for CSAH. "When an opportunity presents itself like this one, we are proud to be such an integral part in a dream being made a reality for a courageous veteran and his family."

Currently, Lt. Valles resides in San Antonio, TX with his wife Sandra and their three children, Ty Allen, Lorenzo Joseph and Tatianna SE.

For more information about the Bay Area Builders Association, please visit http://www.babasupport.com/index.html.

For more information about the CSAH, please visit www.SaluteHeroes.org.

# # #

About the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes:
The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes is a 501 (c)(3), non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to helping the severely wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families rebuild their lives. The organization is the top nongovernmental association helping wounded troops from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and since its 2004 inception, has assisted over 4,500 troops.

Over $5 million dollars has been distributed to date to prevent car repossessions and utility shut-offs while trips to sporting events, entertainment parks, and shows help service members boost morale, break the boredom of the routine of recuperation and help reintegrate wounded troops into civilian life. The annual all expense paid Road to Recovery Conference provides seminars, career counseling, job fairs, evaluations, and inspirational success stories.

CSAH has partnered with numerous celebrities including LeAnn Rimes, Dave Matthews Band, Gary Sinise, Toby Keith, Charlie Daniels, Regis Philbin and Big & Rich and Fortune 500 corporations like Kellogg's, GNC and GM, to help further our cause.

For more information or to learn how you can help, please visit the website at www.saluteheroes.org.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Craftmatic to donate one adjustable bed a week to injured warriors through the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes Family Support Network

Miami Beach, FL and Ossining, NY-- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/14/2008 -- In 2008, fifty-five War on Terror veterans with severe and debilitating injuries will be able to sleep more comfortably, thanks to Craftmatic Adjustable Beds, the nation's premier quality comfort adjustable bed. The company announced today that it is partnering with the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (CSAH), the leading non-governmental provider of emergency financial relief to severely wounded troops from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, to identify deserving veterans to receive the beds.

This program was announced at the CSAH's Fourth Annual Road to Recovery Conference in Orlando, FL on December 4th. A representative for Craftmatic, Eric Kraftsow, was there when the first two winners were chosen from the 150 troops in attendance. Sgt. John Radell, U.S. Army (Ret.) of Crestline, CA and SSG. Scott Adams, U.S. Army of Williston, FL will be receiving their beds this month.

"There is no greater act than defending our country's freedom, and Craftmatic is pleased to be able to do our part in honoring John, Scott and the other brave veterans who have sacrificed," said Kraftsow. "We realize that a comfortable rest is essential in an injured warrior's recovery, so we are honored to provide them with a brand new, free of charge Craftmatic Adjustable Bed to help with that process."

One of the reasons Craftmatic chose to partner with CSAH is because of the nonprofit organization's specific and strict qualifications for eligibility. In order to qualify for assistance from CSAH, troops must be a post 2001 Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom service member, or a member of their family, injured while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. All cases submitted must be verified by the veteran's respective military GSO and the Department of Defense.

"The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes was the most obvious choice to help us identify veterans most in need of a Craftmatic Adjustable Bed. They have a standard verification system that eliminates fraud, have assisted more than 5,000 severely injured heroes, and lead to the pack in direct financial aid delivered to troops," Kraftsow commented.

"The Craftmatic product has long been associated with comfort and luxury, and our recovering veterans deserve nothing less," said Tom Palma, General Manager of CSAH. "Craftmatic Adjustable Beds is paving the way for corporate America to step in and make a difference in the lives of wounded heroes."

The Craftmatic Cares program was initially launched in 2005 as a way to give back to communities which have always been supportive of Craftmatic over the years. For more information on Craftmatic Adjustable Beds and the Craftmatic Cares program, please visit http://www.CraftmaticCares.com.

For more information on the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, please visit hhtp://www.saluteheroes.org.

About Craftmatic Adjustable Beds:
The Craftmatic Adjustable Bed Company (Craftmatic Organization, Inc.) first began marketing electrically adjustable beds specifically designed for use in the world's bedrooms over 30 years ago. Today, Craftmatic company owned direct sales operations and independent distributors service all of the United States, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Caribbean and Australia.

Over 1,000,000 Craftmatic Adjustable Beds are now in use in customer bedrooms around the world and attest to the fact that our unique beds are as durable as they are attractive and comfortable.

For more information, please visit http://www.CraftmaticCares.com.

About the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes:
The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes is a 501 (c)(3), non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to helping the severely wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families rebuild their lives. The organization is the top nongovernmental association helping wounded troops from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and since its 2004 inception, has assisted over 4,000 troops.

Over $5 million dollars has been distributed to date to prevent car repossessions and utility shut-offs while trips to sporting events, entertainment parks, and shows help service members boost morale, break the boredom of the routine of recuperation and help reintegrate wounded troops into civilian life. The annual all expense paid Road to Recovery Conference provides seminars, career counseling, job fairs, evaluations, and inspirational success stories.

CSAH has partnered with numerous celebrities including LeAnn Rimes, Dave Matthews Band, Gary Sinise, Toby Keith, Charlie Daniels, Regis Philbin and Big & Rich and Fortune 500 corporations like Kellogg's, GNC and GM, to help further our cause.

For more information or to learn how you can help, please visit the website at http://www.saluteheroes.org.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Craftmatic Adjustable Beds and Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes announce name of first of 55 wounded troops to receive free beds in 2008

Miami Beach, FL and Crestline, CA-- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/14/2008 -- Sgt. John Radell, U.S. Army (Ret.) was caught in an RPG attack in Iraq in July of 2003 and sustained shrapnel to his right leg. Since then, getting a good night's sleep has been a battle all in its own.

When he and his wife Aiyana learned last month that they would be the first recipients of a free-of-charge Craftmatic Adjustable Bed, they were ecstatic to think that now John might be able to sleep through the night—and Aiyana might finally be able to rest easy knowing her soldier was getting the sleep he so desperately needs.

The Craftmatic Adjustable Bed Company, the nation's premier maker of quality comfort adjustable beds, and the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (CSAH), the leading nongovernmental provider of emergency financial aid to severely wounded veterans from the War on Terror, have teamed up to give away one bed a week in 2008 to severely wounded veterans.

"When they called out our names as winners, I looked at John and said, 'That's not us is it?'" said Aiyana Radell. "He had to tell me that I wasn't hearing things because we were so shocked and excited. We were in desperate need of a new bed."

CSAH identifies deserving troops and Craftmatic sends them a bed – no strings attached – as a way of showing appreciation for their sacrifice.

"John and I currently have a hand-me-down memory foam mattress that our daughter gave us a while back," said Aiyana Radell. "We have the mattress in an old waterbed frame, and the mattress is older so it sags a lot. I know this new Craftmatic bed is going to make all the difference in our sleep, especially since John tends to toss and turn a lot throughout the night."

"Our company is pleased to do our part to honor the brave service that our troops have provided for our country," said Eric Kraftsow, a representative for Craftmatic. "We hope that the Radell's get some much deserved rest thanks to their new Craftmatic Adjustable Bed."

Radell was first told that he was a winner at the Road to Recovery Conference and Tribute, the nation's largest gathering of severely wounded troops organized by CSAH and held in December in Orlando, FL.

About Craftmatic Adjustable Beds:
The Craftmatic Adjustable Bed Company (Craftmatic Organization, Inc.) first began marketing electrically adjustable beds specifically designed for use in the world's bedrooms over 30 years ago. Today, Craftmatic company owned direct sales operations and independent distributors service all of the United States, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Caribbean and Australia.

Over 1,000,000 Craftmatic Adjustable Beds are now in use in customer bedrooms around the world and attest to the fact that our unique beds are as durable as they are attractive and comfortable.

For more information, please visit http://www.CraftmaticCares.com.

About the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes:
The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes is a 501 (c)(3), non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to helping the severely wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families rebuild their lives. The organization is the top nongovernmental association helping wounded troops from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and since its 2004 inception, has assisted over 4,000 troops.

Over $5 million dollars has been distributed to date to prevent car repossessions and utility shut-offs while trips to sporting events, entertainment parks, and shows help service members boost morale, break the boredom of the routine of recuperation and help reintegrate wounded troops into civilian life. The annual all expense paid Road to Recovery Conference provides seminars, career counseling, job fairs, evaluations, and inspirational success stories.

CSAH has partnered with numerous celebrities including LeAnn Rimes, Dave Matthews Band, Gary Sinise, Toby Keith, Charlie Daniels, Regis Philbin and Big & Rich and Fortune 500 corporations like Kellogg's, GNC and GM, to help further our cause.

For more information or to learn how you can help, please visit the website at http://www.saluteheroes.org.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm