Vet News: Patricia Cornwell, #1 Bestselling Author, Launches 'America For Vets' Charitable Program

NEW YORK, Nov. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Patricia Cornwell, #1 bestselling author, is launching "America for Vets," a national campaign that will help military veterans, men and women, prepare for a better future.  People across the country will be able to make donations of everyday supplies to American veterans in need as part of the Veterans Village of San Diego daily-life readiness programs.  To find out more details about the campaign, visit www.penguin.com/americaforvets.

Ms. Cornwell comments:  "Veterans Village of San Diego has done an incredible job of offering support and supplies to our vets in need. I have tremendous respect for the men and women who have served our country and who have made such extreme sacrifices in their lives on tours of duty all around the world. Now it's our turn to give them hope as we show them we care and give our thanks.  A little goes a long way, and I urge all Americans to come together and support those who have put their lives on the line to protect our country and our personal freedoms."

"It means a great deal to VVSD that Ms. Cornwell has shown an intense interest in our veterans," said Phil Landis, president and CEO of Veterans Village of San Diego. "We were honored to have Ms. Cornwell visit VVSD in November. She inspired our veterans with her graciousness and compassion. The interest she has taken in our programs and residents means a great deal to all of us. We are looking forward to working with her in the 'America for Vets' campaign."

Beginning this December 1, at Ms. Cornwell's national book-tour stops, readers can make in-kind donations that will go toward the support of Veterans Village of San Diego.  Donated items for men and women that will be gratefully accepted include shampoo, conditioner, body wash, combs, brushes, hair gel, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, lip balm, disposable razors, shaving cream, Q-tips, feminine products, and toiletry kits.

G. P. Putnam's Sons will cover the cost of shipping in-kind donations collected at each event to Veterans Village of San Diego, as part of the organization's daily-life readiness programs.  To view Ms. Cornwell's scheduled tour stops in conjunction with her upcoming book, Port Mortuary, which is being published in hardcover by G. P. Putnam's Sons on November 30, visit www.patriciacornwell.com.

For those supporters not able to attend Ms. Cornwell's events but who would like to send a donation directly to Veterans Village of San Diego, that can be done online at www.vvsd.net/donate.htm. Readers may also donate to Veterans Village of San Diego's Stand Down, a community-based intervention program designed to help the nation's homeless veterans "combat" life on the streets; Women Veterans and Families programs; Post 9/11 Veterans programs; and/or the Veterans Winter Shelter.  For more details on Veterans Village of San Diego, visit www.vvsd.net.

NOTE TO THE PRESS:

Patricia Cornwell is one of the world's major internationally bestselling authors, translated into thirty-six languages in more than fifty countries. She is a founder of the Virginia Institute of Forensic Science and Medicine, a founding member of the National Forensic Academy, and a member of the Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital's National Council, where she is an advocate for psychiatric research. In 2008, Cornwell won the Galaxy British Book Awards' Books Direct Crime Thriller of the Year—the first American ever to win this prestigious award. Ms. Cornwell's eighteenth Kay Scarpetta novel, Port Mortuary, is being published by G. P. Putnam's Sons on November 30th.  Her most recent New York Times bestsellers include The Scarpetta Factor, Scarpetta, The Front, and Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper—Case Closed. Her earlier works include Postmortem—the only novel to win five major crime awards in a single year—and Cruel and Unusual, which won Britain's Gold Dagger Award for best crime novel of 1993. Dr. Kay Scarpetta herself won the 1999 Sherlock Award for the best detective created by an American author.

Veterans Village of San Diego is a nationally recognized nonprofit and nongovernmental organization that specializes in prevention, intervention, treatment, aftercare and employment services for military veterans, including men and women who have recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. Founded in 1981 by Vietnam veterans, Veterans Village of San Diego has five locations throughout San Diego County and serves more than 2,000 veterans each year.

Penguin Group (USA) Inc. is the U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group. Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S. adult and children's trade book publishers, owning a wide range of imprints and trademarks, including Viking, G. P. Putnam's Sons, The Penguin Press, Riverhead Books, Dutton, Penguin Books, Berkley Books, Gotham Books, Portfolio, New American Library, Plume, Tarcher, Philomel, Grosset & Dunlap, Puffin, and Frederick Warne, among others. The Penguin Group (www.penguin.com) is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.