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Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Veterans of Foreign Wars Ohio Charities

The impacts of the coronavirus at the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Ohio Charities are significant.  Pryor to the pandemic, VFWOC was on track to break $6 million dollars per year for Charity. In January of 2020 we brought in $481, 492.50 and would have averaged ½ million per month this year.

 

Due to this loss we have had to pause our sponsorship programs to local charities all around the state of Ohio such as scouts, boys’ and girls’ clubs, schools, ROTC programs and First Responders to name a few. We also had to scale back on helping Veterans, their family members and those in their community who struggled to pay their bills due to injury or illness. We are still supporting food pantries and those who need assistance with medications and emergency medical supplies as well as purchasing PPE equipment for the VA hospitals and supplying them with food vouchers.

 

However, if our Posts and Clubs do not get to open soon that too will become a challenge.  The long-term effects of this pandemic will be catastrophic for some of our Posts and it may take us a very long time to get back to those numbers.

 

We are certain that the passing of HB 282 will speed up our recovery time. That is why it is imperative that we get resolution on it as soon as possible.  Thanks for all you are doing for the Veterans and Fraternal organizations!

April 22nd, 2020

VFW Department of Ohio donates $4,000 to families of fallen Westerville officers

Columbus, Ohio (February 15, 2018) – VFW of Ohio Charities has donated $4,000 to the families of two Westerville police officers who were slain in the line of duty this past Saturday while responding to a 911 call.

 

“This is a tragic loss for the officers’ families, the Westerville community and our nation,” said Bill Seagraves, Director of VFW of Ohio Charities.  “Like all first responders, officers Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli courageously put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect their community, and sadly they lost their lives.  We have a moral obligation to support these heroes’ families.”

 

The funds were donated through the CME Federal Credit Union and divided equally between each officer’s family.

 

VFW of Ohio Charities’ donation has been made possible through the use of a statewide charitable electronic raffle program operated by the Ohio Veterans and Fraternal Charitable Coalition (OVFCC) at posts and lodges throughout Ohio.  Since it began in 2011, the video raffle program has raised over $35 million for charities.

February 15th, 2018

VFW to donate over $40,000 for hurricane relief

“Video raffle program makes it possible”

 

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.

September 1st, 2017