Monthly Archives: November 2013

Crestline VFW Helping Those in Need

Courtesy: WMFD-TV

Crestline, Ohio VFW Post 2920 is giving back this holiday season.

When two of their members needed wheelchair ramps, local students at Crestline High School took it upon themselves to build the ramps, with a tab picked up by the VFW.  One of the ramps was installed at the home of a member who otherwise can’t get out of her house, and another was installed for a 95-year old World War II veteran.

WMFD-TV in Masfield had their cameras rolling, documenting the installation of the ramps, and showcasing the great partnership between both the VFW, and Crestline High School.

“It’s great that we have the opportunity to work together as a community and come together as a community,” said VFW 2920 Quartermaster Kari Pfeifer.

The project was funded by the VFW Charities of Ohio and by charitable funds from the VFW Post, none of which would be possible without the OVFCC Charitable Raffle Program, according to the Post Commander.

The OVFCC is proud to count VFW Post 2920 as one of the many organizations using the Charitable Raffle Program for great causes, big and small.

Vets and Fraternals to Lottery: “Thanks, but no thanks”

The Ohio Lottery’s recent proposal to add “next generation” electronic charitable gaming machines for veterans and fraternal groups’ locations has been met with a resounding “no” from leaders of the state’s prominent veterans and fraternal leaders, the Columbus Dispatch reports.

“…leaders of six statewide organizations sent a letter yesterday to Gov. John Kasich and state legislators, saying they don’t want the machines. The letter was signed by state leaders of the American Legion, VFW and AMVETS, plus the Moose, Eagles and Elks lodges.

They said the lottery deal would not provide posts and lodges with enough money to cover operating costs and continue giving money to charity. They noted that ‘much if not all of our charitable support would dry up.'”

The proposal is up for approval by the State of Ohio’s Controlling Board in early December, and is backed by Governor Kasich’s Administration, but the letter from Ohio’s leading veterans and fraternal groups will likely play a role in whether or not the proposal continues its movement.

The Ohio Veterans and Fraternal Charitable Coalition (OVFCC) supports a different, better option recently put forth by State Representative Rick Perales in the Ohio House of Representatives.  House Bill 325 is aimed at clarifying existing legislation, which would allow organizations to add to the over $5 million already donated to local and national charities, rather than contributing almost solely to education, to which all Ohio Lottery programs donate.

The OVFCC urges all veterans and fraternal members to reach out to their district’s lawmakers to support H.B. 325, which establishes a fair and transparent means for their organizations to support their lodges and other charitable endeavors.