Wolf Administration Acknowledges Veterans' Trust Fund Grant Recipients for Improving the Lives of Pennsylvania's Veterans and their Families

ANNVILLE, Pa., Aug. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania's adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), attended an event to personally thank Veterans' Trust Fund (VTF) grant recipients for their work in support of the commonwealth's nearly 820,000 veterans. The event in Harrisburg was hosted by Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania, one of the honorees.

"These community organizations provide invaluable programs and services to Pennsylvania's veterans," said Carrelli. "We are pleased to distribute these grants, knowing that they will go toward enriching the lives of veterans and their families. The staff and volunteers of these organizations deserve a special 'thank you' for working tirelessly in support of our American heroes who sacrificed greatly to preserve our freedom." 

Today's event was the third of four being held in Harrisburg, Erie, Bedford and Norristown to recognize 31 VTF grant recipients. Grants issued through the VTF allow DMVA to expand its partnerships with charitable organizations, veterans' service organizations and county directors of veterans affairs, which ultimately benefits commonwealth veterans and their families.

The nine organizations recognized today for their special programs and services are:

• Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Harrisburg
• Dog T.A.G.S., Mechanicsburg
• Clinton County Office of Veterans Affairs
• Franklin County Office of Veterans Affairs
• Juniata and Mifflin County Offices of Veterans Affairs
• Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, Camp Hill
• Potter County Office of Veterans Affairs
• Veteran's Helping Hand, York
• Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg

"The Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania relies on community partners like the DMVA," said Kim Kennedy, executive director. "The Veterans' Trust Fund grants are vital in our care for veterans, particularly for those who are experiencing a financial crisis beyond their control and need assistance."

A total of 13 Pennsylvania County Veterans Affairs Offices received $150,000 in grants and 18 charitable or veteran service organizations received $650,000 in grants from the Pennsylvania Veterans' Trust Fund. The grants are funded by generous Pennsylvanians who voluntarily made a $3 donation when applying for or renewing their driver's license or photo ID and renewing a motor vehicle registration, proceeds from the sale of the Honoring Our Veterans license plates and private donations.

The DMVA is authorized to solicit and accept donations to the VTF on behalf of the commonwealth. Tax-deductible donations can be made online at www.donate.dmva.pa.gov or mailed to: PA Veterans' Trust Fund, Bldg. 0-47 Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003.

To learn more about the VTF, visit www.vtf.pa.gov or follow DMVA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/padmva. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Joseph Butera, 717-861-2178 (office), 717-903-6791 (cell)

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs