Delaware Veterans Trust Fund – Signed into law by Gov. Jack Markell in September 2013, the Delaware  Veterans Trust Fund, under the auspices of the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs, assists Delaware’s honorably-discharged veterans of all generations who find themselves in emergency financial need. It has been used for many purposes, including stopping evictions, prevention repossession of vehicles needed for work, emergency housing repairs and sometimes food vouchers. All applications for assistance are screened by a committee and if approved, bills are paid directly to the vendor.

One hundred percent of contributions to the Trust Fund are tax deductible and because the facilities of the Commission of Veterans Affairs are used to support the effort; similarly, one hundred percent of contributions are returned to veterans without deduction for overhead, salaries or any other purposes. To assist in this work, the Friends of Delaware Veterans, a 501 (c) 3 entity, was created in 2014. The Friends purpose is to help get the word out and raise funds for the Veterans Trust Fund. The Friends board are volunteer community leaders from across the state who works with the Commission. The Friends create events like the annual dinners featured on this post and other Friend and fundraising activities.

The Friends would be please to address your private or community organization about our work. You may contact us by calling the DE Commission of Veterans Affairs at (302) 257-3117 or email Mrs. Sherri Taylor at sherri.taylor@delaware.gov to make a connection.

The Veterans Trust Fund not only assists veterans in paying emergency bills, but also follows through by connecting them with other services, including financial and other types of counseling as needed, as well as to outreach organizations that can provide furniture and household items for those in transition.

Please join us for a black tie optional affair to help benefit veterans of this great state of Delaware. There’s two dates and location to join this great cause.

Dover – Friday, November 6th from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Modern Maturity Center, 1121 Forrest Avenue

New Castle – Saturday, November 14th from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Clarion Belle Hotel, 1612 N. DuPont Hwy.

Dinner tickets are $100 and include a plated chicken or steak dinner, entertainment and guest speaker. Earn program credit for 8-person sponsor tables at $1,000.

Tickets may be ordered by mailing a check made to Friends of Delaware Veterans, 802 Silver Lake Blvd., Suite 100, Dover, DE 19904. Please make sure you indicate Nov. 6th or 14th to include dinner choice in the memo area.

Please RSVP by Nov. 2nd. No tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets will be held at the Will Call table at each event. Sponsorships are available. The deadline for sponsorships is Oct. 24th. Email Sherri.taylor@delaware.gov or call 302-257-3117.

SMYRNA – The Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill (DHCI) is recruiting volunteers to adopt residents for its annual Friends & Families Day event on Saturday, Sept. 12, on the facility’s grounds in Smyrna.

Boot Scootin’ Family & Friends Day Bash, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., will include a DJ entertainment, a picnic lunch, watermelon, snow cones, popcorn, cotton candy, as well activities for kids including line dancing, water balloon toss, face painting, and mini-horse visits. The long-term care facility is at 100 Sunnyside Road, Smyrna.

Because many residents will not have loved ones or family members who can participate in the event, the facility is recruiting volunteers to adopt a resident for the day. Volunteers will escort residents to lunch, fun outdoor activities and special treat stations, while also spending quality time with the individuals.

“For individuals who volunteer to adopt residents, you will get back so much more than you give,” Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf said. “This annual event is an incredible way to give back and to spend quality time with residents of the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill.”

Participants may bring a picnic lunch to share with a resident (any meal restrictions will be provided), or guests may enjoy a sub provided by Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill.

Groups and organizations are also welcome to adopt a resident. Depending on the size of the group, they may adopt a unit, which typically consists of 20 to 30 residents.

The long-term-care facility, which is operated by DHSS, has about 140 residents. Admission requires both a financial and a medical need.

If you or your group is interested in adopting a resident for Friends & Families Day, please contact Jennifer Bobel, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at Jennifer.Bobel@delaware.gov or call 302-223-1011 no later than Wednesday, Aug. 26.

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Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

For more information, contact Jill Fredel
Delaware Health and Social Services
Director of Communications
(302) 255-9047 (office) or (302) 357-7498 (cell)