Thanks to Eden Condominiums, 25 wounded American military veterans and their families will soon enjoy a week-long stay in paradise on Perdido Key. It’s the fourth year in a row that Eden has offered luxury waterfront units for deserving heroes at no charge. The veterans, some of whom have said they have never taken a real vacation, will begin arriving on Sept. 16.
The annual effort all started when one Eden condominium owner offered his unit to a wounded veteran as a token of appreciation back in 2014. When the other owners and Eden management heard of the gesture, they decided to join forces, and have been providing free vacations to between 22-25 veterans each year since.
This year Eden will work with two military veteran organizations, Wounded War Heroes and the Wounded Warrior Project to identify veterans and coordinate the week-long event.
As word has gotten out, area businesses, the USO and individuals have chipped in to help defray the cost of meals and gas for the veterans, providing meals, snacks, goods, gift cards, fishing trips and other support. Eden believes the vacation giveaway will continue to grow as more and more people get involved. “This has been a collaborative effort by the owners of Eden, which now has spread to include many others,” said April Adams, Eden’s rental manager. Adams says that Eden has been overwhelmed by the support they receive each year, including a proclamation from the Escambia Board of County Commissioners in honor of the effort.
If you or your business would like to contribute to the wounded veteran vacations effort at Eden, please consider donating paper goods (paper towels, toilet paper), paper plates and cups, plastic cutlery, bottles of water, soda and snacks. Contact Eden by phone or email at 850-492-3336 or [email protected].
Neil Scrimpshire, PAWN Investments
Bart Wiggins, Supreme Paper
Jennifer Surface, Flora-Bama Yacht Club
Chance Walsh, Lillians Pizza
Mike Desorbo, Culinary Productions
Judy Davis, Perdido Key Sports Bar
Bill Stromquist, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Sam's Club USO Northwest Florida
Mr. & Mrs. Flint Winn Dixie
Bill Harrison
Mattye O Phillips
Penny Esworthy
Jennifer Hall
Marie Shelton, Naval Aviation Foundation
Joyce Cook
Roseanne James
Christina Barrow, Emerald Coast Images
There's so much to do on and around our 16-miles-long island paradise, there's no way you can experience it all in just one stay. To help you make the most of your Eden vacation, we've picked a few of our favorite experiences that we hope will become precious memories for you too. If you have a question, or don't see what you're looking for, please let us know. We want to make sure that each memory of your Eden vacation is truly magical.