LaQuetta McCartor
2020-2021 National Veterans & Family Support Ambassador
As we continue with our support of our veterans and their families, we embrace the VFW’s Military Assistance Program (MAP), VFW “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship” Program, and Unmet Needs to provide for our veterans, service members and their families. In doing this we are Honoring Our Mission to Serve Veterans.
The Military Assistance Program (MAP), Ways to Connect with Troops
- MAP helps VFW and Auxiliary members give more to their local military units. It helps forge and nurture bonds with those units by providing financial assistance for Posts, Districts and Departments to sponsor morale-boosting send-offs, homecomings and casual get-togethers.
- Post and Auxiliaries participating in Adopt-a-Unit and Family Readiness Group events can also receive assistance. MAP keeps care packages circulating by covering postage costs.
- For guidelines to apply for MAP funds, contact the VFW Veterans & Military Support office at 816-756-3390.
- Donate by mail by sending funds to the VFW earmarked for Veterans & Military Support. Mail check to:
VFW National Headquarters
Attn: Veterans & Military Support
406 W. 34th Street, 9th Floor
Kansas City, MO 64111
VFW “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship” Program
The VFW and Sport Clips are giving the gift of scholarships to our nation’s heroes as a way of thanking them for their dedicated service to our nation.
Scholarship Details:
- Scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded to qualified applicants.
- Awarded scholarships are limited to one per family per semester.
- Applications for the fall semester will be accepted Jan. 1 through April 30.
- Applications for the spring semester will be accepted Aug. 1 through Nov. 15. Fall semester scholarships will be awarded in August, and spring semester scholarships will be awarded in January.
- Scholarships must be used by the end of the school semester for which the veteran is applying or they will become null and void.
- Scholarships are restricted for tuition and fees only and will be paid directly to accredited schools.
Unmet Needs Can Help in a Crisis
Unmet Needs provides grants (not loans) and referrals to other organizations to active-duty service members, veterans and their immediate families to assist with basic life needs.
Q.: Who is eligible to receive assistance?
A.: The applicant must be the service member, veteran, or eligible dependent listed under the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). The financial hardship must be due to one of the following:
- Currently on active duty, whose financial hardship is a result of a current deployment, military pay error, or from being discharged for medical reasons.
- Discharged on or after September 11, 2001, whose financial hardship is a direct result of your military service-connected injuries and/or illnesses.
- Discharged before September 11, 2001, are on a fixed income that must include VA compensation for service-connected injuries/illnesses and facing unexpected financial hardship.
In 2007, Burger King® franchisees became the primary supporters of the Unmet Needs program; to date, they have raised more than $5.3 million to provide veterans and military families with assistance for rent, mortgages, utilities, vehicle repair, food and other basic needs. Grants of up to $1,500 payable to a creditor can bridge the gap are available. The VFW is truly grateful to Burger King® franchisees for their support for our nation’s veterans and military families.
Donate by mail by sending funds to the VFW Foundation earmarked for Unmet Needs. Mail check to:
VFW National Headquarters
Attn: VFW Foundation
406 W. 34th Street, 9th Floor
Kansas City, MO 64111
National President’s Special Project: Stars, Stripes and Support
Food insecurity is a challenge for military families; many struggle to feed their families. According to a recent report, nearly 15 percent of military and veteran families worry about how they are going to feed their families or afford food. By supporting this project, you can provide aid to these military families.
Donate by mail by sending funds to the VFW Foundation earmarked for Unmet Needs – Hunger. Mail check to:
VFW National Headquarters
Attn: VFW Foundation
406 W. 34th Street, 9th Floor
Kansas City, MO 64111
This Program is a way to give back to those who gave for us, both the veteran and the family of the veteran. As Auxiliary members, let us step up and provide assistance to help combat mental health issues and food insecurity this year.
