SHAWANO, WI – Local veterans in need will receive additional support thanks to a recent donation from WTCH’s Thank A Vet Program.
Representatives from WTCH presented three checks totaling just under $1,000 to the Shawano County Veterans Service Office. The funds were raised through the station’s Thank A Vet Program and will be directed toward helping local veterans facing unexpected hardships.
Shawano County Veterans Service Officer Zachary Zuehlsdorf said the donation will be deposited into the county’s Veterans Emergency Relief Fund.
“So any funds that we collect for the Veterans Service Office go to the Veterans Service Commission, to the Veterans Emergency Relief Fund,” Zuehlsdorf said. “So this money today is going directly to that Veterans Emergency Relief Fund.”
The fund is designed to assist veterans and their families during emergencies and other difficult situations that may create unexpected financial burdens.
Zuehlsdorf said recent flooding serves as an example of how the program can help.
“A perfect example would have been the flooding we just had recently,” he said. “A house gets flooded, a basement gets flooded, the water heater’s downstairs, the HVAC is downstairs, both of them go out. Insurance doesn’t cover it because maybe they didn’t have flood insurance or it’s too expensive. They come to our office, they fill out an application, and say, ‘Hey, I need assistance with this.'”
The fund can also help veterans facing emergencies such as house fires, temporary housing needs, and other unforeseen crises.
“Another example would be a house fire,” Zuehlsdorf said. “We had a veteran within the last six months who had a house fire and needed somewhere to stay for a week in a hotel. They come to our office and we take care of it right there on the spot.”
Decisions regarding the use of emergency relief funds are made by the Shawano County Veterans Service Commission, which is made up of local veterans serving on the board.
“The Veterans Service Commission is actually made up of three local veterans,” Zuehlsdorf said. “They’re the ones making the decisions on how that money is spent. I make the recommendations, submit the applications, and then ultimately they make the decision on where those funds go.”
Comments