Mt. Prospect, IL, August 11, 2006--As the need for U.S. military presence overseas becomes more pressing and the Pentagon extends tours of duty for thousands of military personnel in Iraq, the Vermont-American brand of Power Tool Accessories announced today an initiative that seeks to mobilize the nation’s 3,000+ Junior ROTC programs, a potential “army” of more than 450,000 cadets, to raise money to assist U.S. military families struggling to pay their bills back home. Beginning this month and working with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation (VFWF) and the Wentworth Military Academy, Vermont-American’s “Wentworth Challenge” will raise funds for the “Unmet Needs” program, a company-funded initiative that helps families of service personnel pay for essential home and auto repairs, groceries, prescriptions, mortgages, rent and more.
Unmet Needs (www.unmetneeds.com), established by Vermont-American Power Tool Accessories two years ago and executed in conjunction with the VFW, has made grants of more than $1.2 million to more than 750 U.S. military families so far. The company’s seed money of $1.25 million to cover the administration of the program ensures that 100 percent of all subsequent donations to Unmet Needs goes directly to grant recipients.
Launch of “The Wentworth Challenge”
Wentworth Military Academy, based in Lexington, MO, is supporting the program by challenging every Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) in the nation to raise money for the program in their localities by a) providing a service or commodity in return for a cash donation (such as staging car washes or baked good sales); or b) securing vouchers for in-kind service, such as car repair, home repair, free meals, free diapers, etc.
“If 500 JROTC units raise just $500 each over the next year, the Wentworth Challenge will drive up to a quarter of a million dollars directly into the Unmet Needs program,” said Maj. Gen. John H. Little, president and superintendent of Wentworth Military Academy (www.wma.edu) and a 1961 graduate. “Unmet Needs is an extraordinarily benevolent program that looks after the well-being of the families of deployed service men and women. The JROTC units of this nation are well positioned to make a real difference, and we should. That is our challenge.”
On August 28, 2006, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and actor R. Lee Ermey, host of “Mail Call” on the History Channel and spokesperson for Unmet Needs, will help officially launch the Challenge in an address to thousands of veterans at the National VFW Convention in Reno, NV. “The families of service men and women deployed overseas are suffering,” said Mr. Ermey. “This nation is at war, and we need to support our military personnel in every way we can. That includes making sure their families can pay their bills and meet unexpected needs. The Wentworth Challenge is an inspired initiative.”
In late July, the Pentagon extended for up to four more months the tours of about 3,500 troops serving in Iraq. “Battle worn military personnel expecting to return home now must stay longer,” said Joe Smith, vice president of Vermont-American. “We feel a responsibility to help minimize the financial hardships of honorable men and women as they risk their lives for us overseas. The Unmet Needs program provides all Americans with an opportunity to help meet that responsibility. In 2007, Vermont-American will roll out a number of expanded initiatives that will allow thousands of participating hardware and home improvement dealers to participate in this worthwhile program.”
“The U.S. Department of Defense indicates that there are approximately 700,000 spouses left home by those serving in all branches of the military,” said VFW National Commander James Mueller. “Many homes are left for long periods without their primary bread winners, but the family bills remain the same or rise. Many military families are really struggling, and the Wentworth Challenge presents a terrific opportunity for cadets and local VFW posts everywhere to lend a financial hand.”
About Unmet Needs
Military families make grant requests to Unmet Needs at www.unmetneeds.com. Those requests are reviewed by the VFW staff. Approved recipients receive financial assistance of up to $1,500 to help pay for home or auto repairs, medical costs, mortgage or rent bills and even child care costs. Some seek and request vouchers for donated “in-kind” service assistance (repairs, etc.). Most of the money comes from charitable donations from individuals, businesses and groups nationwide. Vermont-American covers all administrative costs, so every donated dollar goes to the military families. The impact is immediate and positive.
About Vermont American and the VFW Foundation
The Unmet Needs Program is administered by the VFW Foundation (http://www.unmetneeds.com/Miscellaneous/About/aboutVFW.htm) and generously supported by Vermont-American Power Tool Accessories (http://www.unmetneeds.com/Miscellaneous/About/) , one of the largest power tool accessories brands in the world. For nearly 60 years the company has outfitted professional tradesmen with premium quality drill bits and saw blades designed to meet rugged jobsite requirements.
Vermont-American products are sold in thousands of hardware and home center outlets throughout the nation, and these distributors will be increasingly engaged in supporting the Unmet Needs program in 2007. Currently, a portion of the profit from every Vermont-American purchase supports Unmet Needs. Vermont-American is a division of the Robert Bosch Tool Corporation.
For more information about Unmet Needs and the “Wentworth Challenge,” visit www.unmetneeds.com or call 816-968-2722.
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