More than $263,000 in Veterans Cash lottery proceeds to help 8 nonprofits support Illinois veterans

Instant ticket responsible for more than $10 million in funds since 2006

[May 07, 2012]  SPRINGFIELD -- On Friday, the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs announced $263,633 in grants from Veterans Cash scratch-off lottery ticket sales to help eight nonprofits deliver specialized programs and services for Illinois veterans.

"The Veterans Cash instant ticket continues to directly impact the Illinois veteran community," said IDVA Director Erica Borggren. "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."

The brainchild of Gov. Pat Quinn, Veterans Cash has funded programs since 2006 for veterans throughout Illinois. 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 support Illinois veterans.

Fourth-quarter fiscal 2012 grants have been awarded to the following Illinois organizations:

• Bravehearts, Harvard -- $85,000 for therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving programs for wounded military and veterans.

• Chicago Horticultural Society, Oak Park -- $15,500 for therapeutic experiences for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and other service-related conditions.

• National Veterans Art Museum, Chicago -- $6,000 to provide art therapy workshops for veterans.

• Chicago Veterans Economic Development Council -- $15,000 to support summer and winter Stand Downs for homeless Illinois veterans.

• Disabled American Veterans, Department of Illinois, Springfield -- $29,783 to support veterans' services throughout Illinois.

• Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, Peoria -- $25,000 to support Goodwill's Stand Down for homeless veterans and support of veterans at risk of homelessness.

• Revelation Golf, Elk Grove Village -- $62,350 to support a therapeutic program for disabled veterans as a way to help improve their range of motion.

• Veterans Assistance Commission of Sangamon County -- $25,000 for the Veterans Assistance Commission of Sangamon County's Dental Assistance program.

On a quarterly basis, IDVA's Veterans Cash Grant Committee reviews applications and awards grants to groups that help address post-traumatic stress disorder, homelessness, health insurance costs, long-term care and disability benefits. To date, nearly 180 organizations have shared more than $10 million in funding.

To apply for a grant, download an application from the Veterans Cash website.

For more information about IDVA and its programs, visit the agency's home page.

[Text from Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]