Veterans of Foreign Wars - Unmet Needs
Our Military Families Need Your Help Here at Home
Wounded Soldier and Family Move to New Home With Help From Unmet Needs

When Sgt. Lonnie Maynard was wounded in Iraq, he came home to his wife Kim and baby, but no job. Between the medical bills and ordinary living expenses, the Maynards found themselves facing a crisis. The Unmet Needs Program was there to help.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of the donation goes to the families?

Is the VFW Foundation approved by the Better Business Bureau?

Who is eligible for help?

What are some of the types of help that have been given?

Are there other ways that I can help?

What skills do I have, I'm not a professional or a tradesperson?

What's the difference between a grant and a loan?

How do you know my money goes to the needs that the family has requested?

Why did Vermont American get involved?

Can I ask that my donation be used specifically for my state?

Can I see how many families and how much money has been donated or distributed?

How are a family's needs verified?

When did this program start?

If I donate a skill, will my personal information be shared with other groups?

What else can I do?


What percentage of the donation goes to the families?
Because of Vermont American’s 1.2 million dollar commitment over the next five years, administrative and promotional costs are covered.  That means 100% of your donation will go to a military family in need.

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Is the VFW Foundation approved by the Better Business Bureau?
The application and process are underway.  We expect full approval from the BBB, as our administration costs average under 4% per year.  Those costs are covered in full by our sponsor Vermont American.

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Who is eligible for help?
Recently active or active service personnel and their families, across the five branches of the military, as well as Reserves and National Guard members and their immediate families are eligible.

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What are some of the types of help that have been given?
Home repair, auto repair, medical deductibles, travel expenses (air, lodging, etc.), child care expenses, clothing, mortgage and rent assistance just to name a few.

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Are there other ways that I can help?
As you look through our website you’ll see a variety of ways to help, including the donation of money or skills and time.  If you are a tradesman, every time you purchase a Vermont American drill bit, saw blade or other power tool accessory, a portion of that purchase goes to help through advertising, promotional, merchandising and public relations dollars. 

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What skills do I have, I'm not a professional or a tradesperson?
Everyone can help.  It might be as simple as cutting a military family’s grass, planting a garden, weeding or shoveling snow.

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What's the difference between a grant and a loan?
Loans need to be paid back at some point in time, even at zero percent interest. A grant is a donation of money with no payback required.

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How do you know my money goes to the needs that the family has requested?
In many cases we send checks directly to a landlord, mortgage company or utility.  In other cases, the families provide a receipt with details of how the gift card was spent, whether for a service or a retail location.

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Why did Vermont American get involved?
Vermont American employees wanted to find a meaningful way to make a difference.  Most Vermont American plants are located in areas with military facilities, so many family members and friends are or have been involved with the military.  The Unmet Needs Program, itself, arose from this desire to help and from the dedication of the men and women of the VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary.

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Can I ask that my donation be used specifically for my state?
It is possible, but we request that you allow us to help our military families across the country, as it would be a shame to have a foreclosure happen in one state, as money was available, but limited to distribution in another.

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Can I see how many families and how much money has been donated or distributed?
Yes.  Click on the link at the top right to see the Map of Families Helped & Donations Made.

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How are a family's needs verified?
The VFW requests formal documentation to verify each request (see application form). This information is then verified by the local VFW post or Ladies Auxiliary for further confirmation that the need is valid. Additionally, the Military Point of Contact will be contacted to verify case and needs.

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When did this program start?
Our first grant was delivered in June of 2004.

If I donate a skill, will my personal information be shared with other groups?
No.  The only group that will have this information is the VFW, and the information will only be used by the VFW to contact you in case there is a skill need within your local area.

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What else can I do?
Go out of your way to thank our military personnel and their families for their service to our country, whenever you see the chance.

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Map of Families Helped & Donations Made
See how many military families the Unmet Needs Program has helped in each state.

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Unmet Needs Video
View a short video to learn more about the Unmet Needs Program.