Friends of Delaware Veterans gives $40,000 to trust fund endowment
Friends of Delaware Veterans recently contributed $40,000 contribution to the Delaware Veterans Trust Fund Legacy Endowment.
“There's more than one way to help those who serve and protect us," said Paul Davis, Friends of Delaware Veterans vice president. "There's an immediate opportunity through contributions for ongoing needs, and there's a longer-term approach through the endowment we created in 2019.”
Davis and Dave Skocik, Friends president, presented a $40,000 donation check Dec. 16 to Michael DiPaolo, vice president for Southern Delaware Community Foundation.
Founded in 2014, Friends of Delaware Veterans is a independent 501c3 nonprofit organization. Its board comprises veterans who work pro bono throughout the year raising funds for the Delaware Veterans Trust Fund that are distributed by the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs - Office of Veterans Services to honorably discharged veterans across the state who meet the criteria for needs that can't wait.
The grants comprise one-time, hand-up direct payments to creditors that have stopped evictions, vehicle repossessions and utilities cutoffs; paid for emergency home repairs; made security deposits on living quarters; helped with household expenses during recovery from an injury; and sometimes provided emergency housing and food.
The check represented the proceeds of the Friends' 9th Annual November Fundraising Dinner at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover. Although the state increased its annual contribution to the trust fund from $25,000 to $100,000 in 2019, the Friends group continues its work and contributions, and makes up for shortfalls.
Of the 10 states online with veterans trust funds, most rely solely on state funding. Iowa ran out of money this year due to economic factors. The Friends have been proactive to prevent that from happening.
“In addition to providing funds on request to the OVS, we are about one-third toward our goal of raising $1,000,000 to create a self-funding legacy endowment that ensures Delaware's men and women veterans of all generations are never in a position where they feel abandoned," said Skocik.
"Military service and its multiple separations from family, especially in harm's way, changes people for life," said Davis. "While only a small percentage of veterans and their families need help at any given time, we have been there when they needed a lifeline."
The Friends meet quarterly via Zoom or in person and have no overhead expenses, nor are they reimbursed for personal expenses. A full 100% of contributions is earmarked for Delaware veterans in demonstrated need. To make an end-of-year, tax-deductible contribution, checks should be made to Friends Endowment, c/o Commission of Veterans Affairs, 802 Silver Lake Blvd., Suite 100, Dover, DE 19904. For more information, go to DelawareVeteransTrustFund.com.
