Help Jared Allen’s Wounded Warriors by voting for Maxim’s cover model

Football is back! That means it's time for me to remind everyone about the best organization around, one that provides homes for America's wounded warriors, Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors. Allen has long been one of the U.S. military's biggest fans. In his 12 years in the NFL, Allen was one of the hardest-hitting defensive players around. His foundation builds houses for wounded vets that are specifically adapted for their wounds, at no cost.

Now the Jared Allen Homes for Wounded Warriors is teaming up with Maxim, allowing readers to vote for their favorite cover model, with all proceeds going to building more homes for wounded vets.

Allen has been working with veterans for ten years now, ever since returning from a USO trip to visit troops in the field. He saw what U.S. military veterans experience in combat zones and wanted to give thanks to those who sacrificed themselves for service. The goal is simple: raise money to build or adapt homes suited to the needs of wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans – and do it at no cost to them – even if they can only help one warrior at a time. That's where Maxim – and you – come in.

Readers can vote for their favorite potential Maxim cover model once per day for free, or they can make a "Warrior Vote" where they pay one dollar for every vote, with a minimum donation of . After voting for their free daily vote, all subsequent votes cost a dollar, with again, a minimum of . In order to generate votes, models are able to offer voting rewards, similar to rewards offered on Kickstarter. The winner receives ,000 and a Maxim cover photo shoot while other proceeds go toward Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors.

Robin Takizawa is a Los Angeles-based model and makeup artist, currently in second place in her group. Her father is a Vietnam vet and Purple Heart recipient.

"I was extremely excited to find that the competition was also a fundraiser for Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors," says 2019 entrant Robin Takizawa. "Sadly, there isn't enough support for veterans once they return. Sometimes home no longer feels like it. This is a cause close to home because my father is a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient. His combat wounds healed without physically altering his life, however many he knew and served with did not meet the same fate."

"Ever since I was a little girl, I always dreamt about being in Maxim. I loved the glamor and over-the-top sexiness that comes from being self-confident," she continues. "It's an honor to know my bid in this contest is also a chance to fundraise for such an amazing cause."

Allen with Navy Corpsman Thomas Henderson and family after giving Henderson the keys to his new home. Henderson lost his leg in an IED attack in Afghanistan.

For Allen, the ten-year journey is one of the best things he's ever accomplished. Even though his grandfather and younger brother were Marines, the experience changed Allen, inspiring him to create Homes for Wounded Warriors.

"I knew I had to do something to serve our country," Allen once said of the Jared Allen Homes for Wounded Warriors. "I feel the best way to do that is serve those who serve us."

If you're a veteran of the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan who is in need of housing or alterations to suit your disability, apply to Jared Allen Homes for Wounded Warriors on the organization's website.