WARRIOR VACATIONS

The recent economic times have resulted in many of Amelia Island's condominiums and resort properties going empty for weeks or months at a time. Robert Peters is one of those condo owners - and he thought of a way to turn those empty properties into a wonderful gift for America's military personnel.

Peters felt guilty that he gets to enjoy life on this beautiful island while America's armed forces risk their lives on the other side of the world. That's when the idea came to him: Warrior Vacations. Why not loan out unoccupied vacation properties to active military and their families? So now, Peters is asking condo owners to donate their property for one or two weeks.

"The military and their families have shouldered the burden for all of us," Peters said. Returning from combat, providing a little R&R, is the least that can be done.

The application process for soldiers is fairly simple. Military personnel can fill out a form at www.warriorvacations.org and wait to be paired with a condo owner. Peters said soldiers must be active duty, in good standing, be married and have been deployed within the last year.

The program is open to all military personnel but is focused on Fort Stewart, NAS Jax, NAS Mayport, Florida National Guard and Florida Reservists. The ultimate goal is for Warrior Vacations to go nationwide.

This past April, Major Geoff Fuller and his family became the first recipients of a Warrior Vacations stay on Amelia Island.

Amelia Island Plantation, together with many of its private owners, will be participating in the program.  "We have made a commitment to Warrior Vacations by offering our all-oceanfront Amelia Inn and including our owners, as well," according to Tim Seyda, vice president and general manager of the resort.  "Even when our owners' units are involved, we will pay for the housekeeping and resort fees so that our military can enjoy themselves to the fullest."

Other major sponsors of Warrior Vacations include Amelia Rentals and Management, whose owner Trent Maddox has been instrumental in getting Warrior Vacations of the ground, and the McArthur Family YMCA.

Warrior Vacations is a ministry of Authentic Impact, Inc., and the Journey Church. If you would like to donate time in your condo to this program please visit warriorvacations.org or call (904) 206-0710.