Nearly $478,000 in Veterans Cash lottery proceeds awarded to 10 groups to support Illinois veterans
Instant ticket responsible for more than $9 million in funds since 2006
SPRINGFIELD – March 19, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) today announced $477,752 in grants from Veterans’ Cash scratch-off lottery ticket sales to help 10 non-profits deliver specialized programs and services for Illinois’ veterans.
“The Veterans Cash lottery ticket offers much more than big payouts for the game’s players,” said IDVA Director Erica Borggren. “It also offers much-needed funding to strengthen local and statewide programs that assist veterans struggling with accessibility, healthcare, homelessness, and mental health issues.”
Championed by now-Governor Pat Quinn in 2006, Veterans Cash has funded programs for veterans throughout Illinois. All proceeds from ticket sales are deposited into the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund, making it the first Illinois Lottery ticket for which 100 percent of the net proceeds are dedicated to support Illinois veterans.
Third-quarter (FY12) grants have been awarded to the following Illinois organizations:
• American Legion, Department of Illinois—$100,000 to support the organization’s Veterans Service Officer program that assists Illinois veterans in obtaining benefits from the federal VA
• Lutheran Social Services—$10,000 for a program to help elderly veterans in their “Lean on Me” program
• National Able Network—$94,825 for its Retail Management Employment Program for unemployed, homeless, and at-risk veterans
• North Side Supportive Housing—$25,000 to support efforts to counsel and treat homeless veterans on Chicago’s North Side
• Shelter Care Ministries—$16,700 to assist homeless veterans in the Rockford area with rental assistance and utility aid
• Transitional Living Services—$10,227 to update furnishings at a homeless veterans transitional center near Crystal Lake
• United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago—$100,000 for their Ramp Up program that helps disabled elderly veterans gain better access to their homes with ramps and chair lifts
• Veterans Assistance Commission of Kankakee County—$40,000 for its dental program to aid low income veterans
• Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County—$50,000 for its dental program to aid low income veterans
• Vets4Vets—$31,000 to conduct community support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) veterans in the Chicago area
On a quarterly basis, IDVA’s Veterans Cash Grant Committee reviews applications and awards grants to groups that help address PTSD, homelessness, health insurance costs, long-term care and disability benefits. To date, more than 170 organizations have shared more than $9 million in funding.
To apply for a grant, please download an application at the Veterans Cash website.
For more information about IDVA and its programs, please visit the agency’s homepage.
