PARSIPPANY, N.J. -

Coinciding with last week’s Veterans Day, Budget Rent A Car launched three online options to funnel donations toward a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and provides programs and services for injured U.S. military personnel.

Budget has a goal of generating $100,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project.

The first of those three donation options comes when customers pay in advance online for rentals. That’s when Budget intends to make a donation to WWP.

Budget noted that it offers travelers a discount as opposed to paying at the rental counter. Travelers who select the “Pay Now” option on the website can choose to have Budget donate $1 to the Wounded Warrior Project on their behalf.

To effect the donation, the company said renters must select the donation option from the rewards available on “Step 4” of the reservation process on budget.com.

“The Pay Now option on budget.com is the perfect way to lock in a great rate on a rental vehicle — and now, it doesn’t cost any extra money to support a great cause,” explained Thomas Gartland, executive vice president of sales, marketing and customer care for Avis Budget Group, parent company of Budget.

“Travelers simply choose the donation reward and Budget will do the rest,” Gartland continued.

Another way Budget is channeling funds is through the Wounded Warrior Project discount. Customers could receive up to 20 percent on rentals while WWP earns 5 percent of the time and mileage charges on the completed rental.

Budget added it planned to match up to $25,000 in contributions generated through this campaign segment.

Finally, a website specifically dedicated to donate directly to WWP was established at www.budget.com/wwp.

The company explained its customers wishing to support America’s wounded veterans can donate $1, $2, $5 or any amount of their choosing directly to WWP. Officials insisted that 100 percent of contributions made through this site head to support programs that assist wounded veterans become active and positive contributors to their communities.

“Contributions made on budget.com/wwp are processed as separate transactions from Budget rentals, so our customers have documentation should they choose to gain the tax-deductible benefit from their contribution, with our rental contract and receipt processed as normal to facilitate processing business travel expenses,” Gartland explained.

“It’s another way that we add value to the rental experience — while honoring those who served our country,” he added.

Budget contends that more than 39,000 members of the U.S. military have been physically wounded during the current conflicts. Officials believe hundreds of thousands more are recovering with post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression and traumatic brain injury.

“Whether through caregiver retreats, combat stress programs, career and education services or adaptive sporting opportunities, WWP empowers warriors with the tools essential to not just survive their injuries but to thrive and achieve personal and professional success,” project officials declared.

Gartland reiterated how important this fundraising campaign is to Budget.

“As Americans, we owe a tremendous debt to our military veterans, especially to those who suffer now as a result of their service to America,” Gartland stated.

“Budget Rent A Car is proud to honor them on Veterans Day and throughout the year with our support of the Wounded Warrior Project,” he concluded.