Monthly Archives: April 2014

Vets & fraternals charitable video raffle hits $8 million mark

$8,000,000 raised…and counting

Columbus, Ohio (April 24, 2014) – The Ohio Veterans and Fraternal Charitable Coalition (OVFCC) announced Thursday that its video raffle program has now raised over $8 million for Ohio charities.
 
These funds directly benefit veterans posts, fraternal lodges and hundreds of local 501c3 charities, with 50% going to veteran’s posts/lodges and 50% going to local 501c3 charities in communities across Ohio.  In addition, a portion of the money raised by the OVFCC goes to fund veterans service officers who assist Ohio veterans in filing benefits claims with the Veterans Administration.  Last year these veterans service officers helped return over $50 million in federal funds to Ohio’s veterans in need.

Attorney General Mike DeWine asked that veterans and fraternal groups seek legislation to clarify the law regarding video forms of raffle.  But House Bill 325 (sponsored by Rep. Rick Perales) is stalled in the House Policy Committee in favor of a Lottery Commission gaming system that directs critical funds away from local charities and into state coffers and the Lottery’s Greek-based vendor Intralot.  

Just this week, funds from the video raffle program were used to pay the funeral expenses for a Dayton area Air Force reservist who was recently murdered and whose son is still missing.  Click here to see Dayton television news story about how funds for initiatives like this are in jeopardy.
 
Court order allows video raffle program to continue

Veterans and fraternal organizations have filed suit against the state and have been granted a temporary restraining order by the Franklin County courts, enabling posts and lodges to continue operating video raffles without interference from state agencies while the court considers the suit.

WATCH: OVFCC supports slain vet amid funding concerns

Dayton’s NBC Affiliate, WDTN, already covered the VFW of Ohio Charities’ recent decision to fund the funeral of Nichelle McKnight, who was supposedly murdered within the last month.

Now, WDTN’s Jackie Sprague reports that the source for that funding, raised mostly through the OVFCC’s electronic raffle program, could be at risk if lawmakers continue to oppose and House Bill 325.

The goal of the OVFCC is to support charities and communities by supporting veterans and fraternal groups across the state.  Without the OVFCC, the VFW of Ohio Charities might not have had the funds available to cover the funeral and burial costs for one of their own.  For reasons like this, and for many, many others, HB 325, the bill that clarifies existing law with regard to charitable bingo in the state of Ohio, must be passed by the Ohio House and Senate, and then signed into law by Ohio Governor John Kasich.

Happy Easter from the OVFCC

Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays on this Easter Sunday.

From our OVFCC family to yours – HAPPY EASTER!

VFW of Ohio Charities to pay for Dayton woman’s funeral

The Late Nichelle McKnight and her son, Zaden (courtesy WDTN-Dayton)

Nichelle McKnight and her son, Zaden, were killed in the basement of a Dayton home in late March, according to reports by WDTN, Dayton, Ohio’s NBC affiliate.  While the details of the murders are not yet known, and the results of an investigation are still pending, one thing has been confirmed, which will hopefully ease the grieving process for the McKnight family and local residents.

The VFW of Ohio Charities, a proud and long-time supporter of the OVFCC will cover the cost of the funeral service and burial costs for McKnight.

While the murders are certainly a traumatic event for those involved or close to the family and town, the OVFCC is proud to support the VFW of Ohio Charities in their efforts to give back to communities in both the best and in the worst of times.