Vermont American, VFW partner to help soldiers' families

Prosales, May, 2005

Dealers and contractors looking to give something back to our country's military families can donate not only with their wallets but also with their hands through a new program developed by bits and blades manufacturer Vermont American and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Unmet Needs is a non-profit program that supports the needs of the families of servicemen and women who are deployed or were recently deployed abroad.

For families with a spouse or parent serving abroad, financial hardships can become a burden that can make unexpected needs especially difficult. Unmet Needs aims to ease some of these families' crises by providing assistance when and where it's needed--whether it's to replace a water heater, fix a furnace, rebuild a home destroyed by fire, or remedy other crises. In addition to accepting financial donations from the public and material donations from suppliers and dealers, Unmet Needs also is recruiting licensed and insured carpenters, plumbers, and other tradespeople to volunteer to donate their skills. Once signed up and verified, you will be registered in a national database; if a family in your area has a need that would require your skill, you could be called on to donate.

Vermont American has committed $1.25 million over the next five years to Unmet Needs. The money will cover administrative costs, allowing 100 percent of outside donations to go directly to helping families.

To donate money or materials or to sign up to donate a trade skill, visit www.unmetneeds.com or call 866.789.6333.