The Pennyroyal Veterans Center in Hopkinsville, Ky., is no stranger to American Legion Auxiliary Fort Campbell Unit 233. The unit has been volunteering at the center each month since the facility opened its doors in 2012.
Jane McKnight, a 26-year member of Unit 233, heard about the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation’s Veteran Projects Fund at the 2018 ALA National Convention and knew she had to apply for a grant to help support Pennyroyal.
The Pennyroyal Veterans Center had recently been gifted 50 brand new mattresses from the city. Unit 233, thanks to the help from a Veteran Projects Fund grant, was able to outfit the beds with new linens, as well as provide other comfort items.
In all, Unit 233 was able to buy new sheet sets, pillows, and bath towels for 50 veterans living in the Pennyroyal Veterans Center. The unit also purchased microwave ovens to be used by the veterans.
“We do monthly bingo, so the veterans get a consistent presence from our unit. We provide refreshments of chips, soda, and chocolates,” McKnight said, “but this was the largest single project our unit has ever done.”
Unit 233 member Samantha McCarthy and Unit President Nancy Carter accompanied McKnight to deliver the grant-funded supplies to the Pennyroyal Veterans Center late last year.
McKnight said she was honored “to just make a difference and provide needed items for the veterans—and to see the appreciation and smiles.”
The veterans facility residents were thrilled to receive the new items and shared a photo of the ALA unit members on Facebook, saying, “Thank you for all you do for us. Santa came early to PVC!”
To learn more about the application process for the ALA Foundation’s Veteran Projects Fund grants (which Unit 233 member Jane McKnight said was “seamless”), visit www.ALAFoundation.org/grants.