In recognition of Veterans Day, the Duke Energy Foundation has announced nearly $50,000 in grants to 10 organizations across Indiana that support veterans and their families. The grants are intended to help with transitional housing, mental health services, and essential needs for veterans throughout the state.
“Veterans embody service, leadership and commitment – qualities that strengthen our communities every day,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “These grants are a token of our appreciation and a way to help local partners deliver the housing, counseling and basic needs that veterans and their families deserve.”
The funding will go toward several projects. The Family Service Association of Howard County will use its grant to revitalize the Peace Garden in Kokomo at Jackson Street Commons, which honors Pearl Harbor survivors and other groups. Huntington County Government’s funds will provide emergency financial assistance for urgent needs such as vehicle or roof repairs.
Irreverent Warriors in Knox County will receive support for programs addressing mental health challenges among veterans through peer connection and wellness retreats. Kaiser Home Support Services in Floyd County plans to use its grant for Liberty Place, a facility helping veterans transition back into civilian life.
Lafayette Transitional Housing Center is set to offer direct aid to homeless or at-risk veterans in Tippecanoe County. People and Animal Learning Services in Monroe County will fund VETS (Valiant Strides), a program supporting veterans and first responders through experiential education with horses.
Other recipients include Sons of the American Legion Post 77 for building a memorial monument in Brookville; United Way of the Wabash Valley for expanding a Vietnam exhibit at Terre Haute’s Veterans Memorial Museum; Upstream Prevention in Johnson County for suicide prevention resources tailored to military-connected residents; and Veterans Support Network in Hamilton County for providing rental, mortgage, food, home repair, and auto repair assistance.
The Duke Energy Foundation provides over $30 million each year to support communities where its customers live and work. This philanthropic arm is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.
Duke Energy Indiana serves approximately 920,000 customers across a 23,000-square-mile area with about 6,300 megawatts of electric capacity. It is Indiana’s largest electric supplier.
