CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 108 has donated $4,500 to help purchase Christmas gifts for families enrolled in the Ross County Health District’s Home Visiting Program, according to information provided by the health district.
“We are so grateful that this is the third year in a row VFW Post 108 has made this donation. Our families really appreciate it,” said Amie Unger, RCHD Director of Child and Family Health. “The past few years have been hard for our families, which makes this donation all the more impactful,” Unger added.
VFW Post 108 Commander and U.S. Navy veteran Ryan Varney said the donation will support the health district’s Help Me Grow program.
“It was our pleasure to donate $4,500 to assist the Ross County Health Department’s Help Me Grow program. We were able to help over 100 kids from all parts of the county. As combat veterans, some of us saw children in terrible situations. Therefore, the members of Post 108 are happy to provide funds to brighten the holiday season for children here in Ross County. We are looking forward to making similar donations in the future!” Varney said.
The Home Visiting Program serves families who are pregnant or have children up to age 5, with staff providing in-home education and connecting families to resources. The program also includes Cribs for Kids and Child Passenger Safety services, which provide education, portable cribettes, child safety seats, and booster seats to eligible low-income families, the health district said.
“Most families that we enrolled in the program receive WIC benefits and food stamps. There are some Christmas assistance programs in our county, but a lot of them have restrictions, or families have to go there to sign up. Transportation is a huge barrier for our families living in the more rural parts of the county, like Bainbridge and Frankfort,” Unger said. “This donation from VFW Post 108 allowed us to provide gifts for all kids of the 120 program families we serve. $4,500 stretches so far to help these families in need over the holidays, and we have so much gratitude for the VFW’s support,” Unger concluded.