HARRISBURG – Two local veterans’ organizations will receive funding through the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF), according to state Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23).
The VTF funding, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), is made possible by generous Pennsylvanians who voluntarily make a $3 donation when applying for or renewing their driver’s license, photo ID, or a motor vehicle registration. The VTF also receives proceeds that come from the sale of the Honoring Our Veterans license plate and private donations.
“The Veterans’ Trust Fund is a valuable program that assists our local government agencies support initiatives and services that help our veterans,” Senator Yaw said. “I am pleased that this funding was awarded locally.”
Yaw noted that the Bradford County Office of Veterans’ Affairs and the Ayres-Stone Auxiliary Post 5642, located in Montrose, Susquehanna County, will each receive $10,000 for outreach programs.
“We’re glad we got it,” said Pete Miller, Director of the Bradford County Veterans’ Affairs Office. “This funding will help with travel, organizing events and getting folks energized. Bradford County is a huge county, and the funding will help us ensure that no stone is left unturned with making county veterans aware of what benefits are available for them.”
According to the announcement, up to a total of $150,000 in grant funding was available for new, innovative, or expanded programs or services provided by County Directors of Veterans Affairs or the Pennsylvania Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs. The two areas of emphasis for grantees in this category were veterans’ outreach and veterans’ courts.
The VTF grant also identified funding available to Veteran Service Organizations with 501(c)(19) status and non-profit, 501(c)(3), charitable organizations with a mission of serving Pennsylvania veterans. Funding priorities for grants in this category were veterans’ programs focused on homelessness, behavioral health initiatives, veterans’ court initiatives or other programs addressing newly identified, unmet or emerging needs of veterans and their families.
In addition to outreaches, the Ayres-Stone Auxiliary Post 5642 will also utilize a portion of their funding for veterans in need.
Since the VTF grant program began in 2013, a total of $3,632,860 has been awarded to organizations that serve Pennsylvania veterans.
To learn more about the VTF, visit www.vtf.state.pa.us.
CONTACT:
Rita Zielonis, Chief of Staff
(717) 787-3280