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Grants for disabled veterans snapped up fast

Within two weeks of its announcement of $500,000 in grants for disabled veterans, the American Legion had earmarked $500 apiece for 1,000 veterans of the Iraq or Afghanistan theaters of operation.

Not all the grant checks of $500 each have been mailed, but Legion officials are working quickly to get them processed, said spokeswoman Ramon Joyce.

The $500,000 was donated by the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes. “Our Coalition was able to raise a lot of money from caring people but we do not have the distribution network of The American Legion,” said Thomas Palma, general manager of the Coalition, when the organization donated the money.

The American Legion assumed all administrative costs, as it did in 2005 when the two organizations teamed up on a similar effort to distribute checks. The funds were awarded to veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq who are rated with disabilities of 30 percent or more, on a first-come, first-served basis..

When announced, officials said the grants would be available through May, or until all the money was given out.

“You have no idea what this has meant to me,” wrote one grant recipient from Mt. Laurel, N.J., in a letter to the organizations. “It has been a great aid to my family and it just puts special warmth in me to know what there are good people out there that appreciate the sacrifice and work young and old people have given to preserve what is good about our home.

“I was not expecting this and it is with a joyful heart that I give you all my sincerest thanks, you made my family’s Christmas.”