(KANSAS CITY) – Since its inception in June 2004, the Unmet Needs Program has provided monetary assistance to more than 400 American military families facing significant and unforeseen financial hardships due to deployment. Sponsored by Vermont American, one of the nation’s premiere makers of drill bits and saw blades, and the VFW Foundation – the giving arm of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) – the Unmet Needs Program now offers individuals a way to also make a difference by donating their time and talents.
During the International Builders Show in Orlando, Florida earlier this year, Vermont American unveiled the Donate-A-Skill initiative. Using an automated electronic kiosk located in its exhibit booth, Vermont American gave builders, carpenters, plumbers, electricians and other tradesmen the opportunity to volunteer their skills in order to assist Unmet Needs Program recipients in their local communities. The kiosk, linked directly to the Unmet Needs Program website (www.unmetneeds.com), was used to add volunteers into a centralized national “skill bank” that is already being utilized to match volunteers with suitable projects in their areas.
During the show more than 225 people, from cities nationwide, committed their talents to the program. Since the show ended, over 200 more have signed up on-line using the website donation page.
“The initial reaction has been tremendous,” said Chris Connington, Vermont American’s director of Brand Marketing. “It’s one thing to know that when you give to Unmet Needs that 100% of your donation goes to the true heroes of our country, our military members and their families, but it’s an even greater personal donation to offer your skills to a military family in need.”
The Donate-A-Skill effort also helps the administrators of the Unmet Needs Program in a number of ways.
“Many of the requests we receive each day involve home or car repair projects,” says Rufus Forrest, senior administrator for the Unmet Needs Program at the VFW Foundation. “Being able to tap into a national database of skilled and screened volunteers enables us to stretch program funding and helps families get help quickly by eliminating the need to find, screen and hire new contractors for each individual project.”
The Donate-A-Skill registration kiosk will accompany the Vermont American team to dozens of home building and repair trade shows nationwide throughout the remainder of 2005. Elsewhere, Vermont American and the VFW Foundation are encouraging interested volunteers to register their skills online at www.unmetneeds.com.
“Skills are needed across a wide range of areas including, doctors, lawyers, educators, mechanics, appliance repair and more. Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops could also sign up and help cut grass, shovel snow, or much more, “says Connington. “The beauty of the program is that everyone can help in their own unique way, and their help goes back to a neighbor in their local community.”
The goal, according to Connington, is to eventually generate a database of thousands of qualified volunteers who can be accessed and mobilized in support of military families across the country at a moment’s notice. “The more volunteers the better, because we know everyone is busy. Therefore, there is no obligation should the local VFW post call, but because we have multiple names in the database within each skill-set, there’s a good chance that we’ll find someone available to help in a short period of time,” indicated Connington.
The Unmet Needs Program, launched in June 2004, helps military families meet unexpected financial challenges that are further complicated by a family member's deployment. Since its beginning last year, more than 200 families have received grants that have helped to defray the costs of unexpected home or auto repairs, mortgage payments, child care and medical expenses and/or deductibles, groceries and more.
Vermont American established the Unmet Needs Program with the VFW Foundation last summer, with a five-year, $1.25 million contribution from Vermont American Power Tool Accessories. In addition, advertising and promotional support will be aided by Vermont American’s radio and print ad plans as well as product distribution across the country.
Individuals can participate in a number of ways, including:
• Purchasing Vermont American products, as a portion of each product purchased goes to support the program
• Visit unmetneeds.com and donate online, as 100% of your donation goes directly to our military families (a small portion of the Vermont American donation takes care of all administrative costs)
• Visit unmetneeds.com and donate your skill
• Mail donations to the Unmet Needs Program, VFW Foundation, 406 West 34th Street, Room 514, Kansas City, MO, 64111
Families in need can visit www.unmetneeds.com or call 1-866-789-NEED (1-866-789-6333) to request assistance.