Erie County Times

Gov. Tom Wolf announced that $1.35 million in grants will be awarded to 14 Pennsylvania county veterans affairs offices and 34 charitable or veteran service organizations, with a variety of assistance and outreach programs benefiting across the state.

According to a release by Wolf’s office, the county veterans affairs office is receiving $200,000 and the charitable or veteran service organizations are receiving $1.15 million from the Veterans’ Trust Fund made possible through the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

“The Veterans’ Trust Fund helps to fill gaps in services to veterans that would otherwise go unfilled,” said Wolf. “The county offices and civic organizations who receive these grants do incredible work supporting our veterans. They truly improve the lives of veterans, providing them with life-enhancing programs and services. Pennsylvania owes a debt of gratitude to everyone who contributes to this program, either as a donor or hard-working recipient.”

The Veterans’ Trust Fund is funded by Pennsylvania residents who make a voluntary $5 donation when applying for, or renewing, their driver’s license, photo ID or vehicle registration. The VTF receives money from “Honoring Our Veterans” and “Honoring our Women Veterans” license plates, and also other private donations. The program started in 2013 has led to $5,332,860 being awarded to veteran-based organizations.

Those receiving funding identified $1 million in matching funds, according to the release. Over the next two years more than $2.4 million will be used fort veteran initiatives.

The $200,000 in grant money was 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. Areas of emphasis include veteran outreach, veteran courts and training and capacity building.

“As Pennsylvania’s biggest veteran advocate, the DMVA connects veterans to benefits that meet their daily needs,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the DMVA. "Our goal is to reach every veteran in the commonwealth. The best way in obtaining that goal is by collaborating with other organizations to conduct our outreach campaign. It is through this collaboration and these grants that veterans receive the help they need and earned by serving our nation. I would like to personally thanks all those that donate to ensure our veterans get the best we can give them.”