(KANSAS CITY) - Thousands of families across the U.S. face uncertainty on a daily basis when a loved one is serving in the military. The hardship increases when that absence causes financial challenges for the spouses and children at home.
Vermont American Power Tool Accessories and the VFW Foundation – the giving arm of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) – have teamed up to address the problem through the Unmet Needs Program. The program will help meet unanticipated demands on service members' families that can't be remedied in a timely and effective manner through existing means. Vermont American has announced that it is donating $1.25 million to the program over five years. Each purchase of Vermont American branded products helps to make this possible.
"With the help of corporate sponsors like Vermont American, the VFW and its Foundation will be able to help so many more of our young servicemen and women and their dependents," said John Senk, VFW adjutant general. "Helping them resolve the 'unexpected' needs will do much to provide our service members with the security of knowing that their families have additional support here at home."
Senk said needs range from rent and mortgage assistance to childcare and groceries. Once a military family completes the initial application, the VFW Foundation will contact the family, and then an Unmet Needs Program representative will personally review the need and process the application. If the application is approved, funds will be immediately sent to the family.
For families in need, the VFW Foundation makes it easy to apply for help. Online applications are available at www.unmetneeds.com. Direct phone assistance at 1-866-789-NEED (1-866-789-6333) is coordinated through the national headquarters of the VFW Foundation.
Individuals can donate either money or time online at www.unmetneeds.com. Contributions can also be mailed to the Unmet Needs Program, VFW Foundation, 406 West 34th Street, Room 514, Kansas City, MO, 64111.
Since 2003, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, through the VFW Foundation, has provided millions of dollars of support to Americans serving in harm's way. As the risk continues abroad and here at home, financial demands on the families of those serving continue to grow.
According to the Department of Defense, the country has more than 700,000 military spouses across the services --93 percent of them women. Nearly half of those are married to enlisted members who make less than $20,000 a year in basic pay. When Reservists are included, these average yearly pay amounts reach alarming lows.
"We are excited to work with the VFW Foundation to support our military personnel and their families,” said Frank Honold, President and General Manager of the Accessories Business Unit, including the Vermont American Brand of accessories, at Robert Bosch Tool Corporation. “The Unmet Needs Program makes it easy for anyone to help - whether by purchase of product, electronic donations on the web, or via mail - make life a bit easier for our military families.”