Lottery proceeds go to veterans’ support groups
May 4, 2012 6:38PM
Updated: May 6, 2012 9:50PM
Groups that provide various forms of therapy -- including horseback riding, horticultural work, art, and golf as physical therapy -- and address homelessness among vets are the recipients of grants from the Illinois Lottery.
The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs on Friday announced $263,633 in grants from Veterans’ Cash scratch-off lottery ticket sales to help eight non-profits deliver specialized programs and services.
“The Veterans Cash instant ticket continues to directly impact the Illinois veteran community,” IDVA Director Erica Borggren said in a statement. “In the current fiscal year, 30 organizations have shared more than $1.4 million in proceeds from scratch-off ticket sales to provide direct services to struggling veterans.”
Since 2006, proceeds from ticket sales are deposited into the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund, making it the first Illinois lottery ticket for which 100 percent of net proceeds are dedicated to veterans, a release from IDVA said.
Fourth-quarter grants have been awarded to:
— Bravehearts (Harvard), $85,000 for therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving programs for wounded military and veterans.
— Revelation Golf (Elk Grove Village), $62,350 for a therapeutic program for disabled veterans to help improve range of motion.
— Chicago Horticultural Society (Oak Park), $15,500 for therapeutic experiences for veterans with PTSD and other service-related conditions.
— Chicago Veterans Art Museum, $6,000 to provide art therapy workshops.
— Chicago Veterans Economic Development Council, $15,000 for summer and winter Stand Downs for homeless vets.
— Disabled American Veterans (Springfield), $29,783 for veterans’ services.
— Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois (Peoria), $25,000 for homeless veterans and those at risk of homelessness.
— Veterans Assistance Commission of Sangamon County, $25,000 for Dental Assistance program.
