Pictured from left: AMVETS State Commander Chad Colter, AMVETS Service Foundation President PDC* Bill Kosche, State DAV Commander John Carbone, AMVETS State Finance Officer PDC* Doug Newell, DAV State Treasurer PDC* Al Church, and DAV State Adjutant PDC* Rich Pescatore. * means Past State Commander / Contributed photo
The Connecticut AMVETS (American Veterans) recently donated $25,000 to the Connecticut Disabled American Veterans to be applied toward the purchase of a Local Veterans Assistance Program (LVAP) van.
The CT AMVETS also donated $12,000 for Operation Gift Cards for wounded troops.
For the past over 6 years the Connecticut headquarters of the Disabled American Veterans has loaned Operation Gift Cards the use of their Local Veterans Assistance Program van each month, for free, to transport the 186 Connecticut representatives (up to six each month) of the 63 groups who have been cosponsors of Operation Gift Cards, to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. to visit wounded troops.
The use of the van, during 78 visits, has enabled Operation Gift Card to deliver over $500,000 in post exchange gift cards, corporate donations and wish list items to the wounded troops and their families at over a dozen locations at the military base.
Also, DAV and AMVETS volunteers have delivered over a dozen wheelchairs, during the past two years, to needy local veterans.
The use of the van, during 78 visits, has enabled Operation Gift Card to deliver over $500,000 in post exchange gift cards, corporate donations and wish list items to the wounded troops and their families at over a dozen locations at the military base.
Also, DAV and AMVETS volunteers have delivered over a dozen wheelchairs, during the past two years, to needy local veterans.
When not transporting representatives and donated items for Operation Gift Cards or picking up and delivering electric wheelchairs the van is used for the DAV Local Veterans Assistance Program which takes hospitalized veterans, in nursing homes, and shut-ins on day trips all over the state.
Although the local use of the DAV van is the primary mission of the LVAP van, the numerous trips to Walter Reed have added the most mileage to the van. With this additional usage the CT DAV headquarters has decided it needs to purchase another van.
The estimated cost of the new van is about $57,000. It includes cost of the van, installing six bucket seats, installing a electric wheelchair lift capable of lifting large electric scooters, and having DAV artwork applied to the sides and front and back.
Although the local use of the DAV van is the primary mission of the LVAP van, the numerous trips to Walter Reed have added the most mileage to the van. With this additional usage the CT DAV headquarters has decided it needs to purchase another van.
The estimated cost of the new van is about $57,000. It includes cost of the van, installing six bucket seats, installing a electric wheelchair lift capable of lifting large electric scooters, and having DAV artwork applied to the sides and front and back.
Donations of any amount are accepted thankfully. Groups or individual donating $10,000 or more have the option of having their name listed on the back of the van in a section reserved for such under the heading of “Donated By”.
For AMVETS information contact Chad Colter, ccolter@amvetsct.org, 860-383-2770.
For DAV LVAP van information contact Al Church, disabled.veterans@snet.net, 860-529-1759.
For Operation Gift Cards information contact Al Meadows, al.meadows@snet.net. 203-929-3357.
The above information was provided by Al Meadows of Shelton, AMVETS State Public Relations Officer and Operation Gift Cards Chairman.
No comments:
Post a Comment