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

ANNVILLE, Pa., Sept. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Maj. Gen. (ret.) Eric Weller, Pennsylvania's deputy adjutant general for veterans affairs with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), today at an event in Johnstown hosted by Veteran Community Initiatives, Inc. (VCI), personally thanked Veterans' Trust Fund (VTF) grant recipients for their work in support of the commonwealth's nearly 900,000 veterans.

"There is such a tremendous need for veterans programs and services, and it takes a strong commitment to deliver on those needs," said Weller. "That is why the Veterans' Trust Fund is an important grant program. We admire the recipients and their commitment to using these monies to make every day a little bit better for Pennsylvania's veterans and their families."

Today's event was the second 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 six organizations and veterans affairs offices recognized today for their special programs and services were:

• Bedford County Office of Veterans Affairs: Veterans' outreach services
• Cambria County Office of Veterans Affairs: Veteran treatment court services
• Clinton County Office of Veterans Affairs: Veterans' treatment courts
• McKean County Office of Veterans Affairs: An accessible walkway at the County Memorial Wall
• Veteran Community Initiatives, Johnstown: Veterans' court program encompassing law enforcement, veterans' organizations and the county
• Vietnam Veterans of America, Johnstown: Emergency assistance to veterans

"Being that Veteran Community Initiatives, Inc. is a small rural veterans' organization, we certainly know about and are most appreciative of funding received to help veterans and families from the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs," said Tom Caulfield, VCI president/director. "The need for continued and additional funding is necessary to allow the DMVA and VCI to provide veterans with the assistance needed to tackle the many difficult issues facing our returning and returned service men and women."

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, 717-903-6791

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Related Links

http://www.dmva.state.pa.us