Columbus, Ohio (September 1, 2017) – VFW of Ohio Charities is teaming up with the national VFW in donating over $40,000 to help victims of Hurricane Harvey.

VFW of Ohio Charities will donate $20,000 and the national VFW will match that donation with another $20,000.  Additionally, local VFW posts throughout Ohio will be donating funds through the end of September.  The funds will be donated to the VFW Disaster Relief fund, and will be used to provide essential support to hurricane victims.

The storm has caused catastrophic flooding along much of the Texas coast and has displaced thousands of Texans from their homes.

“We need to rally around those whose lives have been devastated by this hurricane,” said VFW Department of Ohio Commander Robert Gianonne.  “This is a practical way for us to help people get their lives back on track.”

“In tragic times such as these, it’s important for us to help our fellow Americans who are in desperate need,” said Bill Seagraves, director of the VFW of Ohio Charities. “Our hope is that this donation will provide support for those who have been forced to evacuate their homes and are without essential items like food, clothing and shelter.”

VFW of Ohio Charities’ hurricane relief donation has been made possible because of charitable video raffle games at veterans and fraternal posts throughout Ohio.  Since the video raffle program began in 2011, over $30 million has been raised for charities.

“The video raffle program makes it possible for us to support hurricane victims,” said Seagraves.  “Without the program, we simply could not help these victims.  Prior to the video raffle, our revenues were declining year after year.  With new technology and video forms of gaming, paper games are losing interest.  Video raffles have given new life to our organizations’ ability to raise funds to support themselves and local charities.”

But veterans and fraternal leaders are concerned that the video raffle program is in jeopardy.  In 2013, Attorney General Mike DeWine said that the program was illegal and ordered it shut down.  The groups disagreed and quickly obtained a temporary restraining order allowing the program to proceed, pending a court decision, which is expected soon.  The groups are hopeful they will win their court case and continue to be able to raise vital funds to support their posts and charities at no cost to taxpayers.