A.E. Schmidt Billiards is proudly donating a new custom pool table to the V.A. Medical Center's Spinal Cord Injury Unit at Jefferson Barracks.  The table will be dedicated during the annual Wheelchair Games on Friday, May 9^th.

     A.E. Schmidt is donating their new Carsten Diner table, which was designed as a regulation pool table that converts into a beautiful dining room table.  Because of its innovative design, the Carsten Diner is more user-friendly for persons in wheelchairs than conventional pool tables.

    Kurt Schmidt, owner of A.E. Schmidt, says "We've wanted to do something for the V.A. for a long time and this new wheelchair-friendly table, I think, is a perfect way for our company to show our appreciation for these men and women who have given so much for our country." 

     A.E. Schmidt builds all of its tables in St. Louis in its factory located just off I-55 at Loughborough.  The company, established in 1850, is the oldest family-owned business in St. Louis. 

     The Veteran's Administration Medical Center at Jefferson Barracks hosts its Wheelchair Games in the area behind Building 52 (which houses the Spinal Cord Injury Unit).  Participants include inpatients and outpatients.  Games include wheelchair soccer, weightlifting, basketball toss and the challenging slalom course.  In addition to those participating in the games, many family members are also expected to attend.

     A highlight of the event is the picnic at 11:30am, which will include welcoming remarks at noon, followed by Kurt Schmidt's dedication of the table.  Kurt is dedicating the table in memory of his lifelong friend and former A.E. Schmidt employee Richard Palmer, a former U.S. Marine, who passed away on May 9^th, 2005.

     (Media members are invited to attend the picnic and the ceremonies at noon, then observe the Wheelchair Games after lunch.  Veterans participating in the games, certain V.A. Medical Center personnel and Kurt Schmidt will be available for interviews.)

Contact for A.E. Schmidt Billiards:  David Craig (636) 346-3434

                                                             davidcraigradio@charter.net

For V.A. Medical Center:                   Marcena Gunter (314) 894-6530

                                                             Marcena.Gunter@va.gov