Veterans' Trust Fund Grant Recipients Acknowledged for Improving the Lives of Pennsylvania's Veterans and their Families
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 19, 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 Pittsburgh hosted by the Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania, 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 final one 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 10 organizations and veterans affairs offices recognized today for their special programs and services were:
- Armstrong County Office of Veterans Affairs: Veterans' outreach
- Beaver County Office of Veterans Affairs: Veterans' outreach
- Fayette County Office of Veterans Affairs: Veterans' outreach
- Lawrence County Office of Veterans Affairs: Veterans' outreach
- Butler County Veterans In Need, Valencia: Assist veterans in need of housing and to provide financial assistance
- Family Services of Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh: Provide veterans with free, reliable transportation for medical or employment services
- Heroes Supporting Heroes, Oakdale: Home repair service for veterans in need
- Pennsylvania Veterans Assistance Fund, Beaver Falls: Services related to homelessness, post-traumatic stress and chemical exposure
- Union Mission, Latrobe: Provide homeless veterans with housing
- Veterans Leadership Program of Western PA, Pittsburgh: Emergency assistance
"Funding from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has been a critical component that has helped to reduce recidivism rates among veterans in southwestern Pennsylvania," said Randy Levander, Veterans Treatment Court coordinator. "This funding has allowed justice-involved veterans that have stumbled regain their footing through housing, utility, transportation, and employment assistance, and the opportunity to have a peer mentor assist them on their road to recovery."
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
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