Gasbag blew off Qns. vets
THEY ASKED Donald Trump for a donation to help homeless veterans — but all they got was a lousy bumper sticker.
Members of one Queens veterans organization said they reached out to the borough’s native son last year before he made a bid for the White House.
But they didn’t receive a response until last week when Veterans-in-Command got a letter from Trump’s campaign.
“Unfortunately we are unable to make donations from the campaign,” read the handwritten note signed “Team Trump.”
“Mr. Trump is very passionate about giving veterans the best life possible!” added the note, which arrived with Trump campaign bumper stickers.
Since then, the group has been receiving emails from the campaign looking for support.
Veterans-in-Command President Larry Robertson said he found the response frustrating and puzzling.
“We never wrote to his campaign,” said the 67-year-old Robertson. “Now they want us to get out there and campaign and be on his team? Without the veterans, he wouldn’t be where he is today.”
And the news Friday that Trump had donated $6 million to veterans groups, including $1 million of his own money, left the group — which struggles to run three facilities in Jamaica — disheartened.
The nonprofit was hoping to catch the attention of Trump, who grew up in nearby Jamaica Estates.
“It just doesn’t make any sense. He’s campaigning for donations for veterans,” said Rodney Moore, a retired U.S. Coast Guard petty officer who works with the nonprofit. “We were a little deflated.”
Trump raised the funds Thursday night, along with another $640,000 online as of Friday, at an Iowa event he decided to hold after announcing he was boycotting Fox News’ GOP debate.
The website donaldtrumpforvets.com claims that “100% of your donations will go directly to veterans needs.”
Trump has vowed to give the money raised to 22 veterans groups, his campaign said in an online posting.
Veterans-in-Command was not on that list.