Veterans organizations receive funding from Rensselaer County Responds program
EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. » Funding from the Rensselaer County Responds program was provided to veteran organizations during a recent ceremony, as the county continues to provide support to community groups during the pandemic, Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin and members of the County Legislature announced.
Funding for 14 veteran groups was provided by McLaughlin and legislators during a special ceremony at the East Greenbush Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. McLaughlin said the funds show the county’s commitment to providing help for organizations that provide needed service as recovery from the pandemic continues.
Rensselaer County Responds uses funds from savings achieved by the county during the 2020 county fiscal year. The fund recognizes many of the community organizations in the county experienced additional costs and difficulty fundraising during the pandemic.
“Our veterans answered the call to duty and defended our freedom and security during times of war or conflict. Veteran organizations across the county continue to be important organizations in their community, supporting residents and charitable and grassroots activities,” McLaughlin said.
The funding for the veteran organization comes after the county provided funding to over 40 fire and ambulance companies across the county. The funding was presented in late summer, with McLaughlin and county officials personally visiting members of all fire and ambulance companies.
“Rensselaer County worked hard to be more efficient during the pandemic and generate a savings.
We are proud to share these funds with community organizations who do so much to help our county and provided needed services and assistance,” McLaughlin added.
Veteran organizations recognized for the funding include organizations with a building requiring maintenance. The list of veteran organizations receiving funding may expand in the coming days. The veteran organizations receiving funding in the amount of $5,000 on Sunday include:
Sullivan-Jones VFW Post 7466, Poestenkill; Taconic Valley American Legion Post 937, Berlin; Gerald O’Neil American Legion Post 1683, Rensselaer; Fort Crailo American Legion Post 471, Rensselaer; Veterans of Sand Lake, Sand Lake; Charles Waldron American Legion Post, Schaghticoke; Castleton Memorial, Peter Andrews Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7337, Castleton;
East Greenbush Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7338, East Greenbush; Chester James Carknard Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1938, Valley Falls; Hoosick American Legion Post 40, Hoosick; Veterans of Lansingburgh, Troy; North Greenbush American Legion Post 1489, North Greenbush; Melvin Roads American Legion Post 1231, East Greenbush; Chandler-Young Veterans Association 1959, Nassau. Funding is expected to be provided to the veteran organization in Grafton.
Members of the Legislature in attendance included Chair of the Rensselaer County Legislature Mike Stammel, Vice Chairwoman Kelly Hoffman, Vice Chair for Finance Bob Loveridge, Legislators Tom Grant, Rob Bayly, Leon Fiacco, Scott Bendett, and Chuck Peter, along with County Clerk Frank Merola and New York State Assemblyman Jake Ashby.