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A non-profit, charitable organization, founded to provide assistance and support to Pennsylvania veterans and their families.

The Pennsylvania Veterans Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, charitable organization, which filed its articles of incorporation on Veterans Day, 2011 (11.11.11).  The mission of the Pennsylvania Veterans Foundation is to provide assistance and support to Pennsylvania veterans and their families.

The Officers and Directors of the Foundation are:

Michael Gould, Chairman

Michael Garman, Director

Debbie Smith, Director and Treasurer

Matt Zamosky, Director

Michael Brent, Website Manager

The PVF received approval of its Articles of Incorporation from the Pennsylvania Department of State effective as of November 14, 2011.  The PVF has also registered with the Bureau of Charitable Organizations of the Pennsylvania Department of State.The purposes for which the PVF was established are charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) including:

  • To provide assistance and support for Pennsylvania veterans and their families,
  • To make grants to other recognized charitable foundations and organizations and veterans’ service organizations to carry out the charitable purposes of the PVF.
  • To make grants and to undertake charitable programs and projects to assist and support deserving Pennsylvania veterans and their families.
  • To assist Pennsylvania veterans in need of shelter and the necessities of living.
  • To provide aid, comfort, assistance, and support for Pennsylvania veterans, including veterans of war or armed conflict and peacetime veterans, and their families.
  • To help ensure that Pennsylvania veterans and their dependents have access to accurate up-to-date information and assistance to qualify for federal, state, and local veterans benefits.
  • To honor the rich history and heritage of Pennsylvania veterans and the contributions and sacrifices of veterans by providing public education and information.
  • To solicit and receive grants, donations, gifts, and legacies from other foundations, charitable organizations, veterans’ service organizations, corporations, individuals and other entities to carry out the charitable purposes of the PVF.

The mailing address and email for contacting the Foundation is:

Pennsylvania Veterans Foundation

PO Box 98

Annville, PA 17003

E-mail: mggpvf@gmail.com

The purposes for which the Pennsylvania Veterans Foundation, Inc., is being established are charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) including:

  • To provide assistance and support for Pennsylvania veterans and their families,
  • To make grants to other recognized charitable foundations and organizations and veterans’ service organizations to carry out the charitable purposes of the Corporation.
  • To make grants and to undertake charitable programs and projects to assist and support deserving Pennsylvania veterans and their families.
  • To assist Pennsylvania veterans in need of shelter and the necessities of living.
  • To provide aid, comfort, assistance, and support for Pennsylvania veterans, including veterans of war or armed conflict and peacetime veterans, and their families.To help ensure that Pennsylvania veterans and their dependents have access to accurate up-to-date information and assistance to qualify for federal, state, and local veterans benefits.
  • To honor the rich history and heritage of Pennsylvania veterans and the contributions and sacrifices of veterans by providing public education and information.
  • To solicit and receive grants, donations, gifts, and legacies from other foundations, charitable organizations, veterans’ service organizations, corporations, individuals and other entities to carry out the charitable purposes of the Corporation

Please refer to the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs online directory of veterans’ service organizations.

The Foundation is now accepting grant applications for organizational grants.  Applications must be submitted NLT August 13th, 2021.  Contact the Chairman at for more detailed instructions and the current application.  Approved grants will be awarded at a ceremony on

November 6th, 2021 on Carlisle Barracks.  

 

Camp Koala www.campkoala.org  Camps/Retreats for grieving military children.

David’s Drive 831www.davidsdrive831.org   Bedding, household materials, clothing for enabling homeless into living quarters.

Dog T.A.G.S. www.dogtagsprogram.org  Provides service dog training to Veterans and their dogs.

EquiTeam  http://www.equiteam.org/ Equine Therapy.

Fly High with Horses  https://www.facebook.com/Trails-End-Conservancy-INC-369866749840689/ Equine Therapy.

Guardians Nest http://www.guardiansnest.org/  Critical Services.

Hunts For Healing   http://www.huntsforhealing.org/ Hunting/Fishing/Outdoor therapy.

Lancaster Barracks  http://www.lhop.org/lancaster-barracks/ Transitional Housing for Veterans.

Lilac Springs http://lilacsprings-vets168.com/ A weekend retreat for Veterans and their families/friends.

Mission Homestead https://www.missionhomestead.org Life/Employment Skills.

PUCHOG (Players Using Competition to Help Others Grow) http://www.puchog.org/ A hockey program for wounded veterans.

Shamrock Reins http://www.shamrockreins.org/  Equine Therapy.

Veterans Brotherhood https://www.veteransbrotherhood.vet/   Critical services, temporary housing.

Veterans Helping Hand http://www.veteranshelpinghand.com/ Goods and materials for Veterans with focus on homeless; walk in Veteran multi-service center/shelter http://veteranthrift.org/

Victory Therapeutic Horsemanship  http://www.victoryhorse.org/   Equine Therapy.

 

Q.  What kinds of assistance is offered by the PVF?

A.  The PVF offers assistance in two forms:

  • Organizational grants to non-profit charitable organizations that serve Pennsylvania veterans and their families.
  • Individual grants to veterans in crisis situations needing temporary assistance.

Q.  How does a veteran in need of temporary assistance apply for a grant?

A.  A veteran in need should contact his or her county director of veterans affairs, the nearest VA medical center social work office, or an accredited service officer at one of the many Veteran Service Organizations like VFW, Legion, or MOPH for information about applying.  The Foundation uses a simple application form, which needs to be filled out, signed and submitted along with documentation, including copies of bills, Copy 4 of DD214 reflecting honorable discharge, and any significant supporting documents about the crisis situation.  This information should be submitted to the PVF through one of the service officers listed above.

Q.  Who is my county director of veterans affairs and where do I find his or her office?

A.  Click here for a list of all PA County Directors of Veterans Affairs.

Q. How much does the Foundation pay in individual grants?

A.  The amount of the grant is based on the documented need of the applicant.  With 800,000 Veterans in Pennsylvania, the Foundation is unable to approve every request nor approve very large dollar amounts.  We can’t help everybody with grants as large as they request.  Over 8 plus years, our average individual grant averages about $1,000.

Q.  Who approves and disapproves grants and determines the amount?

A.  All grant applications are reviewed and verified by the county directors, VA staff, or Veteran Service Officer.  They are reviewed for completeness by  the PVF chairman.  Complete applications are reviewed individually by each of the members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.  Each Board Member casts an individual vote for approval or disapproval and a recommended amount of the grant.

Q.  What factors are considered?

A.  Each grant is reviewed individually based on the facts and circumstances.  Key factors include the documented need of the veteran, the impacts the grant will have, the nature of the need and the like.  No two cases are alike and all applications are given careful consideration.

Q. How long does it take to receive assistance?

A.  Once the Foundation receives a completed application with all the supporting documentation, the Board acts very quickly and we usually can provide an answer within  two or three business days.

Q.  Can a veteran apply for assistance online?

A. No.  We want all applicants to work with their county directors of veterans affairs or an accredited veteran service officer to submit a complete paper application with supporting documentation.  By working with the county director or a service officer, the veteran (applicant) can be referred for other forms of assistance and benefits that may be available and that he/she are unaware of.

 

The Pennsylvania Veterans Foundation gratefully acknowledges that

donations to the Foundation have been made in honor of the following:

Helen Banyas

Park P. Bierbower, III

Jennifer Boisvert

1SG (Ret) David Bower, U.S. Army,  VFW Service Officer

Carson R. Burdge, U.S. Army WW II

2LT Matt Caswell, U.S. Army

Joe Caulfield

John Deppen

Patricia Derry

Colonel John Dickinson

CSM (Ret) Mike Garman, U.S. Army

Ray Garvin, U.S. Army, Vietnam Era

2LT Michael Gould II, U.S. Army

BG (PA) Mike Gould

Ronald Gray (SSGT, U.S. Air Force)

Douglas W. Graybill, Jr.

Colonel (Ret) Bernard Griffard, U.S. Army and  Professor, USAWC

SGT (Ret) Warren Groff, U.S. Army 

Betty H. Guise

Brad Guise

Colonel (Ret) Dennis Guise, U.S. Air Force

Karen Hansen

Naomi “Ruby” Hoffman

Mark Hvizda

Stanley Klein (80th Birthday)

Steve Lew

Mr. Jack O’Donnell

David Pennabaker

Ron Peters, VFW 212 Bradford, Vietnam

Mindy Piccotti, U.S. Air Force, Hunts For Healing Founder

Major General Stephen Sischo

Debbie Smith

Maxine G. Smith, U.S. Air Force

Kelly Strotman

Daniel J. Tometsko, Eagle Scout

Georgia and Jesus Valero

Dr. Mike Vener, CDR, USNR

Lieutenant Christopher J. Venetz, U.S. Army (Commissioning)

Tom and Mary Walter upon the occasion of their wedding

The Honorable Jessica  L. Wright

York’s Beer’Lympics

Lock Haven VFW Veterans Benefit Office

The men and women of the 193rd Special Operations Wing who assisted with the promotion ceremony of Maj Gen Eric Weller

All Juniata County Veterans

All Pennsylvania Veterans

All Veterans

All Our Heroes

All Snyder County Veterans

Marine Corps League

Veterans at Delaware Valley Veterans’ Home 

Scotland School for Veterans’ Children Alumni Association 

Souderton Area School Support the Troops Club 

In honor of our sons, Alex & Nick Appleby and all of the members of C Co. 1/112th INF, 28th INF Div.

 

 

The Pennsylvania Veterans Foundation gratefully acknowledges that donations to the Foundation have been made in memory of the following Veterans, family members, and loved ones.

 

Harold Altland (U.S. Air Force) 

Robert H. Anthony

Joe Banyas

James W. Belardia

MAJ (Ret) Joseph Boccagno (U.S. Army, Berks County Military Hall of Fame)

Francis J. Breit  (U.S. Army, WW II)

William A. Bruder  (U.S. Army)

Dennis Bullock (U.S. Navy,  KIA Vietnam)

Robert W. Burgess

Edward S. “Van” Burnworth, Sr.  (U.S. Army, WW II)

James P. Caulfield, Sr. (U.S. Army, Korean War)

Edward Celkos (WWII)

Charles Chesnut (Korean War)

John Christopher

Colonel Harry “Dean” H. Clark, Jr. (U.S. Army, Korean War, Vietnam)

Robert Cowan (U.S. Army, WW II)

C. Ross Crum, Jr. (U.S. Navy, WW II)

Marshall Davis

Regimental Sergeant Major Clarence A. Deppen, Headquarters Company, 103rd Ammunition Train

Thomas E. Donahue, Jr.

Michael Federovitch

Girard (Jerry) Fitzgerald (Korean War)

Lt Col Donald Flanders (U.S. Air Force)

Anthony Galli (U.S. Army, Korean War)

Paul Geiser

Ronald Gilbert (U.S. Army, WW II) (POW)

Lynn Gish

Paul Gordon (U.S. Army Air Corps, WWII) (POW)

Gordon Gould (Father of Colonel Mike Gould, PVF Founder and Chairman)

Mary Gould (U.S. Army WAC, WWII)

SGT Richard H. Gould (U.S. Army, WWII)

Clyde Gouse (U.S. Marine Corps, WW II)

Lynn G. Graves (U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam, Purple Heart)

SGT Mike Gray (U.S. Army, WW II)

LTC J. Michael Griffard (U.S. Army)

Rebekah “Honey” Shelley Griffard

Lt Col Francis E. Griffin (U.S. Air Force)

Maj Francis E. Griffin, Jr. (U.S. Air Force)

Stanley D. Grimm (U.S. Navy)

Howard Stanley Grimm (U.S. Army)

Gerald R. Grimm (U.S. Army)

Jobe Grimm, Jr. (U.S. Navy)

Dennis T. Guise (U.S. Air Force, PVF Incorporator and Vice Chairman)

George R. Guise (U.S. Air Force)

John Guise

SPC Walter Haftl  (In loving memory – Noah, Zach, Deb and Charlie Kratzer)

Kevin Hardin (U.S. Army)

Walter Murray Harris

Jack Harte

William Harte

James F. Herb

Theodore “Ted” Hirsch

Donald Hoffman (U.S. Army, Vietnam)

Janet E. Hostetter

Robert James Hutchings (WW II)

Sue Fritz Kenney (U.S. Army/PAARNG)

Bill Kies (Vietnam)

Mary Knight-Strong (U.S. Marine Corps)

Edward George Lake, Jr.

 

Dora Landers

Richard Landers (U.S. Army)

Francis “Frank” Lashinsky (Army Air Corps, WWII)

William Francis Le Grand (U.S. Army)

Marvin E. Long (PVT – U.S. Army, WW II)

Clarence Madison (U.S. Army, WW II, POW)

Edward H. Mammarello

William E. Mathiot

Brian “BK” Matlick (U.S. Navy)

Clyde (Bud) Mauger III

Bill Mayer (CSM, U.S. Army) (VFW Post 8896)

LTC Mike McLaughlin (PAARNG)

LTC Shawn Mell  (PAARNG and PSP)

John D. Mellinger III

James Montague, Jr. (U.S. Navy, Vietnam)

Gerald Ney

Tim O’Donnell

Andrew Pehonsky (MAJ, U.S. Army, Gulf War)

Michael Pehonsky, Sr.  (SGT, U.S. Army, WWII)

Helen Pelly

Connie Phillips, beloved wife of Arlington

Mindy Piccotti  (U.S. Air Force and Hunts For Healing Founder)

Enso Pisaneschi (U.S. Army)

Merrill R. Ramsdal (U.S. Navy, Korean War)

Joseph M. Rees (KIA, Vietnam, 4-7-68)

Robert Reeser (U.S. Army, WWII)

Stephen H. Reich (U.S.Army)

Jack V.  Riegel

John P. Ruggles

William C. “Bill” Roush

Bob Rush (U.S. Navy)

James M. “Jimmy” Salber

Harold Savidge

Dominic Savine

Stan Schwartz (U.S. Army)

2nd Lt Scott Semmel (U.S. Air Force)

Joseph Louis Slota, Jr.  (U.S. Navy)

Dennis Smith (U.S. Marine Corps)

J. Richard Taylor, Jr. (U.S. Army)

James Thomas Smith

COL (Ret) Gary Solander (U.S. Army)

Henry Starr

Matthew Henry Steller

James M. Stinson

Norman E. Strotman (WWII & Korean War)

John H. Shollenberger

Samuel Taylor (U.S. Marine Corps)

Donald O. Tilley (U.S. Army)

William F. Vita (U.S. Navy, WWII)

Matthew Wagoner

Ralph Walker (U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam)

Clarence Walters

Michael R. Ward

James C. Wilmes (U.S. Navy, Vietnam)

Jessie Zimmerman

 

The Pennsylvania National Guard Association has made a donation in memory of the Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers who gave their lives in active federal service since 11 September 2001.

 

 

  

 

 Honor Roll of Organizational Donors 

  

  

The Pennsylvania Veterans Foundation announces its Corporate and Organizational Donor “Star Sponsor” recognition for those organizations and businesses who have made and are continuing to make extraordinary donations to the Foundation.  The PVF relies on donations, large and small, to fund the assistance we provide to veterans in need.  To become a Star Sponsor, an organization needs to give at least $10,000 to the Foundation.  We hope that these exceptionally generous corporations and organizations will continue to support the PVF and that others will join this Honor Roll. 

Five-Star Sponsors donated $50,000 or more to the Foundation.

Military Order of the Purple Heart Department of Pennsylvania

Turkey Hill Stores

Mauger and Company

York Beer’lympics

VetJam – Bradford

 

Four-Star Sponsors donated $40,000 to $50,000 to the Foundation.

Benchmark Therapies

VFW Post 8896,  East Berlin

Three-Star Sponsors donated $30,000 to $40,000 to the Foundation.

VFW 212, Bradford

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course

                                                                           Susquehanna Valley Foundation

Two-Star Sponsors donated $20,000 to $30,000 to the Foundation.

VFW Post 4712,  Simpson

                                                                                                       The Claire Chivington Team 

One-Star Sponsors donated $10,000 to $20,000 to the Foundation.

American Legion Department of Pennsylvania

American Legion Post 101, Carlisle, PA

American Legion  Post 957, New Berlin, PA

BAE Systems

MJR Equipment