PLATTSBURGH -- The North Country Veterans Association, North Country Honor Flight and Homeward Bound Adirondacks have been named three of 14 recipients of the eighth annual VetsAID grant.
Each organization will receive a donation of $5,000.
"We are more than honored to be a community recipient," North Country Honor Flight Executive Officer Jerika Manning said.
VetsAID, a national 501©3 non-profit veterans organization, was created by Joe Walsh, Eagles guitarist, his wife and son, and Lori LaFave, who is from Chazy.
FUNDS TOWARD FLIGHTS
Manning noted how appreciative North Country Honor Flight was to be selected among the many "amazing" veterans organizations in need.
North Country Honor Flight will put the money toward the flights and other travel expenses involved in the group's mission of taking veterans on all expenses-paid trips to visit the national war memorials in Washington, D.C.
"All the money will go toward the D.C. trips, 100% of all donations. It doesn't matter if it's a donation sticker bought for 50 cents, or this $5,000 donation, or more from someone like (Assemblyman) Billy Jones, all of it goes to getting our veterans down to D.C." Manning said.
There are some expenses people don't expect, Manning said.
Those expenses include chartering a plane and the personalized Honor Flight jackets and caps for its members.
"We used to fly coach, but then we started chartering a plane which is a blessing in disguise," Manning said.
"We don't have to move that many people on two flights through the terminal and gates, and when we land we get out on the tarmac and directly into a van"
NORTH COUNTRY VETERANS ASSOCIATION
The North Country Veterans Association will put the money awarded towards its programs and services offered, according to Ken Hynes, group treasurer, including a food shelf, clothing shelf, library and museum.
"We will have a general fund for the programs and services we offer, and the utility costs," Hynes said.
"Membership will decide what bill to put what money toward."
According to Hynes, helping veterans is what the association aims to do.
"Every year, we do a Christmas basket; I'm sure some money might go toward filling out any shortages," he said. "We give specialized gifts for families and kids."
HOMEWARD BOUND ADIRONDACKS
Homeward Bound Adirondacks Executive Director Valerie Ainsworth said the grant funding will allow the group to "expand some key programs that veterans in our area really need."
That includes suicide prevention efforts, crisis outreach and nature retreats, where veterans "can find peace and support among their peers," Ainsworth said.
"With this funding, we're also able to focus more on mental health screenings and programs to support veterans dealing with PTSD and similar challenges. Being awarded this grant is both an honor and a big reminder of how important this work is."
VETSAID CONCERTS
The inaugural VetsAid benefit show took place Sept. 20, 2017, with a concert at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia.
Since then, VetsAid has hosted benefit concerts in Tacoma, Washington; Houston, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; and San Diego, as well as two virtual concerts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Every city we visit, we highlight organizations in cities and small communities across the state," LaFave said.
According to a VetsAID press release, the concert scheduled to take place at UBS Arena on Monday was canceled, citing reasons beyond their control.
Despite the cancellation, however, VetsAid confirmed that they will disburse $400,000 in grants to this year's grant recipients.
COUNTRY AND COMMUNITY
LaFave said that supporting veterans is a part of North Country culture.
"Growing up in Chazy, service to the country and community is a big part of my hometown," she said.
"Driving through, you can see the Hometown Heroes banners. Those are teachers, neighbors, friends and parents. Taking care of veterans is a part of growing up in Chazy"
LaFave wanted to make sure North Country veteran organizations were supported.
"For me, it was a chance to give back to home," LaFave added.
According to their website, VetsAid is committed to curating benefit festival lineups in a different American city each year with a large veteran and military population to raise and disperse sorely needed funds to veterans groups across the country that are serving the men and women who served our country.
"These grants are no-strings-attached," LaFave said. "Once accepted the organizations can use the money how they want, but we wanted to pick organizations we know (to ensure) money gets to the veterans directly. This is something we are really proud of. We created this out of thin air of Joe's imagination to help and take care of the veterans."