FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— The Duke Energy Foundation has given out $73,000 to 13 different entities that focus on Hoosier veterans and active-duty military.
“Our veterans have sacrificed and done their duty, and we should all be there when they need us most,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “As we look ahead to Veterans Day, we’re proud to extend our support to organizations across Indiana that are delivering care and services to those who’ve answered the call to serve.”
The organizations involved serve all kinds of needs for veterans including services to provide civilian career paths, transitional housing, and health care services. The Eliza Rizley Stacey Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is one such organization out of Brazil, Indiana that received $3,000. The DAR chapter used this money to support the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall when it made a stop at North Clay Middle School. Indiana Duke employees further supported the memorial by volunteering during its visit to western Indiana and plan to help the DAR chapter lay wreaths at local veteran cemeteries later this year.
“We’re committed to doing all we can to pay it forward to those who’ve served our country,” said Leesa Nesty, vice-regent, and co-chair of the veterans committee for the Brazil DAR chapter. “It’s been an honor to collaborate with Duke Energy on a number of efforts to support Hoosier veterans – efforts befitting the tremendous men and women of our military.”
Other grants given out were:
- Indiana Veterans Initiative (Statewide)
- $10,000 to help in the creation of new web platforms for improving veterans’ job prospects and mental health
- Job Ready Veterans (Statewide)
- $1,000 in support of career transition services for Indiana veterans and military families
- Friends of Ernie Pyle Development Fund (Vermillion County)
- $10,000 for the Ernie Pyle and Veterans Memorial Park, which highlights Pyle’s writings and other contributions
- United Way of the Wabash Valley (Vigo County)
- $5,500 to support of the local veterans museum
- People and Animal Learning Services Inc. (Monroe County)
- $5,500 to go toward “Valiant Strides,” the organization’s equine-assisted services for veterans
- Kaiser Home Services Support Inc. (Floyd County)
- $5,500 for services provided by Liberty Place, a residential facility that helps veterans transition back into civilian life. Liberty Place will benefit from a total of $15,500 from Duke Energy, due to a separate contribution from the company.
- Family Service Association of Howard County
- $5,500 in support of mental health and mentorship services for homeless disabled veterans
- Community Service Center of Morgan County
- $5,000 to provide furniture and appliances for homeless veterans as they exit homelessness to safe, stable housing
- The Hamilton County Veterans Group
- $5,500 to send care packages to troops, and assist the veteran community with home, medical, education, and clothing needs
- City of Vincennes (Knox County)
- $5,500 for the All-Weather Firing Squad, a group of military veterans that provide a 21-gun salute for veterans’ funerals in the community
- Main Street Aurora (Ripley County)
- $5,500 in support of the local veterans memorial
- Mental Health America Wabash Valley Region (Tippecanoe County)
- $5,500 for suicide prevention in the veteran community
