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Photo credit Department Of Washington |
LACEY, WA. (December 12, 2007) Members of nation’s largest wartime veterans organization, from Winlock, WA Buford Rockafellow Post 101 of The American Legion Department of Washington District 10, along with other area veterans organizations are rallying together to help provide emergency relief for Lewis, Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties flood victims. In addition to providing personal assistance throughout the stricken area, local Posts are also accepting donations to aid the relief effort.
Canned food and clothing donations may be brought by The American Legion Post 22 at 555 North Market Street in Chehalis. Contact Bruce Longnecker at (360) 349-0788 for further information.
In Pacific County, non-perishable food items, clothing, bedding and small household items may be donated in care of The American Legion Post 150 at 221 Duryea Street in Raymond. Questions may be directed to Post Commander Greg Ginther at (360) 942-9780.
Grays Harbor County residents may donate non-perishable foods and clothing at The American Legion Post 5, located at 112 West 1st Street in Aberdeen. Post Commander Dan Schlesser may be contacted at (360) 538-1415.
Monetary donations, checks or cash may be sent in care of The American Legion 10th District, P.O. Box 634, Toledo, WA 98591-0634. If you would like your monetary donation to benefit a specific community, please note the city on the memo line.
Veterans may also contact their county Veterans Relief Fund to determine if they are eligible for assistance with fuel, food, and utilities; however, please be aware that this is an income-based benefit for honorably discharged veterans only. Further information on the veterans’ relief fund can be obtained by contacting the Lewis County Veterans Advisory Board Chairman Wendy Carolan at (360) 785-0929, or Susan Denton at (360) 740-1223. Grays Harbor County residents may contact Vern Spatz at (360) 249-4232; Thurston County residents may contact Linda Loyle at (360) 754-4273; and in Pacific County, Kathy Noren at (360) 875-9337.
Members of The American Legion and their families directly affected and displaced by the floods may also apply for assistance through The American Legion National Emergency Fund program. All wartime veterans with children or grandchildren residing in their home may apply for grants available through The American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) Program children by contacting Phil Carolan at (360) 785-0929. Veterans need not be members of The American Legion to apply for TFA grants.
Additionally, veterans from all over Lewis County, along with other dedicated veteran volunteers from Thurston County, are to be commended for their selfless and heroic efforts to save numerous artifacts displayed at the Veterans Memorial Museum and to remove flood soaked carpeting. Any and all volunteers are welcome and appreciated. Please contact Lee Grimes at (360) 740-8875 if you would like to help.
