Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs awards Veterans Cash grant to Korean War Veterans Association to help Veterans at VA Illiana Health Care System

DANVILLE - The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) presented the Korean War Veterans Association, Robert Wurtsbaugh Chapter #21 with a Veterans Cash grant this evening at the VA Illiana Health Care System in Danville.  The Veterans Cash lottery ticket is the state's first scratch-off lottery ticket where 100 percent of the proceeds go to non-profit organizations that help provide a wide range of services to Illinois Veterans including health care, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment, disability benefits, and housing assistance.

 

"The Veterans Cash lottery ticket is a great and easy way to help improve the services provided to our brave Veterans.  Last year, this ticket raised $3.2 million dollars, and the best part about it is that all of the money goes directly to Veterans' organizations and services that deal with PTSD, homelessness, health insurance costs, or disability benefits," said IDVA Director Tammy Duckworth.  "I am pleased to present the Korean War Veterans Association, Robert Wurtsbaugh Chapter 21 with a Veterans Cash grant and I also want to encourage all non-profit organizations that serve our Veterans to make sure they apply for a Veterans Cash grant so that we together can continue to better the services that are available to our Veterans."

 

The $43,860 Veterans Cash grant presented to the Korean War Veterans Association, Robert Wurtsbaugh Chapter #21 this evening will go towards bettering the everyday lives of the Veteran residents and patients at the VA Illiana Health Care System in Danville.  The VA Illiana Health Care System will receive the following; emergency call back systems for Veterans to remain safer living at home; additions to the Library including large-print books to enhance patient reading and magazine renewal subscription; and updated audio-visual equipment.

 

"I want to thank the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs for providing our association with this grant.  It is a privilege to present the VA Illiana Health Care System with the necessary to improve the long-term care of its residents and patients," David Thornsbrough, President, Korean War Veterans Association, Robert Wurtsbaugh Chapter #21.

 

Launched by Governor Blagojevich in February 2006, Veterans Cash is the Lottery's first lottery ticket where 100 percent of proceeds go to support Illinois Veterans.  Proceeds from the sale of this ticket are deposited into an interest bearing account in the State Treasury called the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund.  IDVA awards the money in grants to fund additional services or conduct research relating to Veterans' Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, homelessness, health insurance costs, and disability benefits.

 

The Veterans Cash ticket has raised more than $3 million for the Illinois Veterans' Assistance Trust Fund.  Combined with the proceeds from this year's previous ticket, Two for the Dough, the new Veterans Cash ticket is expected to generate more than $3 million this year for Veteran services throughout the state.

 

Veterans Cash is currently available at all Illinois Lottery retail locations.  Each ticket costs $2 and has a top prize of $20,000.

 

For more information on Veterans Cash please visit the Illinois Lottery website at www.illinoislottery.com or for more information on Illinois veteran programs and initiatives or to apply for a Veterans Cash grant, visit the IDVA website at www.state.il.us/agency/dva.