Senator James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley) joined members of several local veterans’ organizations to announce over $750,000 in new grant funding to enable much-needed upgrades to their aging facilities. Individual $50,000 grants are being distributed to sixteen VFW and Legion posts throughout Orange County in what may be the single largest award to local veterans’ organizations.
In the wake of pandemic shutdowns and without a consistent stream of public funding, many local posts have struggled to keep their meeting halls and buildings in good working order. Senator Skoufis’ funding initiative will enable various, costly upgrades to roofs, heating/air conditioning systems, septic systems, exterior and interior improvements, and other projects.
“In regular meetings with our local veterans, my team and I heard time and time again that our vets were struggling not only to keep a roof over their members’ heads, but also to attract new membership,” said Senator Skoufis. “Given all these brave men and women have sacrificed in service to this country, I am honored to provide this well-deserved shot in the arm, allowing them to better serve their members, their community, and veterans throughout the Hudson Valley.”
“American Legion Post 353 would like to thank Senator Skoufis for his continued support and for the funds that will help our post get a much needed update of its HVAC system,” said Cornwall’s American Legion Post 353 Member J. Scott Teresi. “The new system will improve the overall comfort for our members and be much more efficient. Thank you from the entire post.”
“American Legion Post 46‘s mission is to serve our diverse communities, and the grant from Senator Skoufis strongly supports that mission,” said Haverstraw’s American Legion Post 46 Commander Guillermo Rosa. “We are grateful for his commitment to the veteran community.”
Grant recipients include: Cornwall AL Post 353, Greenville VFW Post 3175, Greenwood Lake AL Post 1443, Harriman VFW Post 8858, Haverstraw AL Post 46, Highland Falls AL Post 633, Middletown AL Post 151, Monroe AL Post 488, New Windsor AL Post 1796, Pine Bush AL Post 1308, Pine Bush Catholic War Veterans Post 1937, Pine Island Polish Legion of American Veterans, Port Jervis VFW Post 161 Roosa-Fleming, Port Jervis VFW Post 7241 Tri-State Naval Ship, Warwick AL Post 214, and Washingtonville VFW Post 8691.