PEPSI COLA GRANT UPDATE

PEPSI COLA GRANT UPDATE and other latest updates:

1. OCW and Pepsi Grant Competition
        Operation Comfort Warriors has been named the Number 1 Finalist for $250,000 in the Pepsi Refresh  Everything grant contest. Pepsi is expected to name OCW as a grant recipient on March 22 after the  paperwork is certified. If certified, OCW will receive $125,000 in late March, and another $125,000 in the  middle of September.

2. Operation Comfort Warriors
             Operation Comfort Warriors has raised $317,454.87 (not including the Pepsi grant) since its inception.

3. “A Pledge to Service” Video
      In conjunction with its debut Tuesday at the Washington Conference, more than 1,500 DVDs have  been distributed including 535 sent to the Legislative Commission staff for distribution to  Congress.  Requests arriving daily with immediate fulfillment.

4. GI Film Festival
      As a result of the Wednesday presentation of your National Commander’s Public Relations Award  to the festival, 80 wounded warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center have been invited to  attend the events in May.  Additionally, Washington Times Columnist John Fales (Sgt. Shaft), a  previous recipient of the award himself,  contributed $1,000 on behalf of blinded veterans to help  support the festival.

PEPSI COLA GRANT

Four days remain for OCW voting

  The American Legion is calling on fellow Americans to spend a few moments every day between now and Feb. 28 to help our wounded service men and women.

The Legion's Operation Comfort Warriors is competing for a $250,000 grant to be awarded by Pepsi Cola, Inc, as part of its Refresh Everything campaign. There are 729 charities competing for grants ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 which are determined by the number of votes received at Pepsi's Refresh Everything Web site. Operation Comfort Warriors is currently in second place. The two charities with the most votes in the $250,000 category will receive the grants.


Visitors can cast their votes every day between now and Feb. 28 by clicking here.


Since December 2008, The American Legion family has raised funds for Operation Comfort Warriors, a program dedicated to meeting the needs of wounded military personnel, providing them with comfort items not usually supplied by the government. OCW ensures that patients at U.S. military hospitals and warrior transition units are given items like sweat suits, DVDs, puzzles, electronic devices, books, calling cards and more. All overhead and administrative costs for the program are paid by The American Legion, meaning 100 percent of donated money goes directly to the troops.


Pepsi will announce the winners on March 1.

 

WARRIOR'S FAMILY ASSISTANCE

American Legion Auxiliary, Dept. of NY
WARRIOR'S FAMILY ASSISTANCE

What is the Warrior's Family Assistance Program?

The Warrior's Family Assistance is a new program, developed and introduced by the Department of New York American Legion Auxiliary, to come to the direct aid of our veterans and their families.

This program offers financial assistance for eligible veterans and their families. There is money, available to assist in covering the costs of maintaining basic family needs such as meeting the costs of shelter, food, utilities, and health expenses - helping to keep a stable home environment. Funding can include, but is not limited to, family living expenses including rent, mortgage payment and utility bills; medical expenses; child care for working parents; insurance premiums and assistance with necessary home repairs.

It is not necessary to be a member of the American Legion or American Legion Auxiliary to apply. Cash assistance is in the form of a grant and does not have to be paid back.

The program has been established to lend assistance as quickly as possible. In order to expedite the grant process, the American Legion Auxiliary will lend assistance by contacting you directly, assisting if necessary and making certain that the application is complete, before it is evaluated. Grants are not based on income levels, but rather on the needs of the family requesting assistance. Upon the completion of local review, grant eligibility is finalized by a panel of three.

We want to help you! If you know of a veteran's family or a military family in need of assistance, tell them about the Warrior's Family Assistance Program.

Who is eligible?

Any veteran that has served honorably within the last four years, or is currently serving in one of the Armed Forces and is a resident of New York State.

Administration

All applications will be considered and assistance will be based solely on the family's needs.. Applications will be approved by a committee of 3 department chairmen. The Finance Chairman will authorize payment.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application may be requested by:
1. Contacting any member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
2. Contacting the Department of NY American Legion Auxiliary Headquarters
Website: www.deptny.org
Phone: In NY State call toll free 1-800-421-6348, all other areas call 518-463-1162
Address: Department of New York, American Legion Auxiliary
112 State St., Suite 1310, Albany, NY 12207

Once a request has been received, a review panel designated for that location will be contacting the applicant to assist with the process:
1. All documentation must be completed.
2. Income and expenses must be documented
3. Requests for payment of outstanding expenses must include photocopies of the past due or disconnection notice.

For more information, contact your local American Legion Auxiliary unit.