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

ANNVILLE, Pa., Sept. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania's adjutant general for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), today at an event in Philadelphia hosted by the Veterans Multi-Service Center personally thanked Veterans' Trust Fund (VTF) grant recipients for their work in support of the commonwealth's nearly 900,000 veterans.

"We are proud to distribute these precious resources to organizations that do so much to serve our veterans," said Carrelli. "We want to personally acknowledge the organizations, their staff and volunteers who work tirelessly every day to provide assistance to Pennsylvania's veterans and their families. We want them all to know their efforts do not go unnoticed and that they are improving the lives of those who have selflessly served our country."

Today's event was the third of four events being held in Camp Hill, Johnstown, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to recognize 30 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 five organizations recognized today for their special programs and services were:

• American Legion Post 210, Doylestown: A veterans' expo
• Hope for Veterans, Allentown: To provide low-income veteran families with financial assistance
• Military Assistance Project, Philadelphia: Free legal services to veterans
• Philadelphia Veterans Comfort House, Philadelphia: Transition housing services to homeless veterans
• Veterans Multi-Service Center, Philadelphia: Women's veterans program, and services to help homeless veterans

"The continued partnership between the Veterans' Trust Fund and the Veterans Multi-Service Center has bolstered several important programs, offering veterans and their families support throughout Pennsylvania," said Tim Williams, executive director of the Veterans Multi-Service Center. "VTF funding is integral to our Day Drop-in Center's mission of meeting the immediate needs of veterans in transition, including meals, showers and laundry facilities in a safe space supporting camaraderie and intensive case management.

"VTF's support is equally crucial to our unique Women Veterans Center, which is proud to continue serving the specific needs of women veterans, providing comprehensive services and programs in space to heal, grow and thrive."

A total of 14 Pennsylvania counties' Veterans Affairs Offices received $150,000 in grants and 16 charitable or veteran service organizations received $500,000 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