HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf has reminded Pennsylvanians that, in the spirit of the holiday season, this is the perfect time to support programs administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
“We should remember to honor our veterans every day, not just on Veterans Day,” Wolf said.
“This is the time of year when many of us look for ways to share our good fortune and donate to a worthy cause, and the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ programs that support our veterans and those currently serving are a wonderful way to give to those who have sacrificed so much for us.”
The four tax-deductible programs administered by the DMVA are:
Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP): The MFRAP provides financial assistance, in the form of grants, to eligible Pennsylvania service members and their eligible family members who have an immediate financial need based on circumstances beyond their control. This program is made possible by generous donations from taxpayers who designate all or part of their Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax refund to support Pennsylvania military personnel and their families, and by those who make a donation online, or privately by mail.
Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF): The VTF issues grants to statewide charitable organizations that assist veterans, veterans service organizations and county directors of veterans affairs to help veterans in need of shelter and necessities of living. The grants are funded by generous Pennsylvanians who voluntarily make a $3 donation when applying for or renewing their driver’s license or photo identification card and renewing a motor vehicle registration, from proceeds generated by the sale of the Honoring Our Veterans license plate, and through private donations by mail.
Residents’ Welfare Funds: Resident’ Welfare Funds at the DMVA’s six veterans homes help to keep the residents active and healthy by providing activities, trips and entertainment. Donations are made online or through private donations by mail.
Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial: Located at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Lebanon County, and maintained by the DMVA, the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial is the first in the commonwealth to honor veterans of all eras from the Revolutionary War forward and it is the largest veterans memorial located in any of the national cemeteries. Donations are accepted online or by mail to help fund the maintenance and repair of the memorial.
“There is no better feeling than to know you have helped a service member during an unexpected financial crisis, provided a disadvantaged veteran with basic life needs, given a State Veterans Home resident an opportunity for a special outing or activity, or helped to preserve our veterans honored memories by maintaining a memorial for future generations to visit,” said Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general.
“That is what a tax-deductible donation to programs administered by the DMVA accomplishes every day for thousands of Pennsylvania’s active military, veterans, and their families.”
When an online donation is made, donors may choose to enter honoree information and a plaque in their honor will be displayed on the Virtual Donor Wall. Online plaques will show that donations have been made: ‘in honor of,’ ‘in memory of,’ or ‘on behalf of’ someone.
“The online Virtual Donor Wall serves as a meaningful and visual tribute to those who made a donation as well as those who are being recognized,” Carrelli added.
To make a donation online or by mail for any of these four tax-deductible programs, or to learn more about each one, go to www.donate.dmva.pa.gov.