November 9, 2007

AFSCME has a unique bond with the brave men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line for our country. More than a third of our members have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, or have family members who have done so. Likewise, many of our members provide care at veterans’ homes and hospitals across the country.

Now AFSCME is launching a new initiative to give back to our veterans. AFSCME’s Matching Fund for Veterans program seeks to provide support for state veteran homes throughout the nation.

AFSCME represents workers at veterans’ homes in 15 different states. The International Union is encouraging the affiliates in these states to “adopt” those homes and engage their communities in fundraising drives. For this purpose, it has established a fund that will match up to $5,000 of what each council raises for their veterans’ homes to provide those “extras” that can make a big difference to the veterans there. The program starts on Monday, November 12 – the legal public holiday for Veterans’ Day – and will run through June 1, 2008.

The initiative was inspired by members of Connecticut Council 4, which for the last four years has sponsored a Veterans Memorial Day Picnic fundraiser. Between donations of food, money and merchandise, AFSCME members in Connecticut have raised more than $250,000 over the period, paying for the construction of athletic fields, and the installation of computers and TVs, among other items. Members of Council 4 also contacted the renowned custom motorcycle manufacturer Orange County Choppers to build a veterans-themed motorcycle for a special raffle.

The Matching Fund for Veterans recipients will be announced during AFSCME’s 38th International Convention in San Francisco. For additional information, contact Diane Burke, Conference and Travel Services at (202) 429-1093 or dburke@afscme.org.