$1M FROM THE HARLEY-DAVIDSON FOUNDATION TO DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS WILL PROVIDE BENEFITS COUNSELING TO VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY
CINCINNATTI, OH (November 8, 2006) - The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is pleased to announce that a $1 million grant from the Harley-Davidson Foundation will be used to provide free services to thousands of veterans in communities across the country. The DAV Mobile Service Office program provides in-community benefits counseling and education to veterans and their families on benefits available from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a result of their service to our country.
The mission of the DAV Mobile Service Office program is to provide convenient access to benefits counseling for veterans and their families. For some veterans traveling to a VA benefits office could mean hours of driving, so the DAV comes to them.
“Last year the DAV’s fleet of Mobile Service Offices traveled to more than 600 communities and provided services to thousands of veterans and their families,” said Arthur H. Wilson, National Adjutant and Chief Executive Officer. “As a result of the Harley-Davidson Foundation’s generosity, the DAV MSO program can continue to travel the country and provide assistance to veterans and their families where they live.”
These “offices on wheels” are staffed by highly trained professional counselors who are skilled experts in developing and prosecuting veterans’ claims. These DAV National Service Offices (NSO’s) talk with veterans about their government benefits, including compensation for disabilities related to their military service they may be eligible for, even years after their active duty ended. They help veterans determine if they have a claim, and then assist in the thorough preparation of claims and written briefs, which includes helping to assemble evidence in support of those claims.
“Veterans are important members of the Harley-Davidson family and the DAV Mobile Service Office program will provide even more access to the benefits they are entitled to receive,” said Gail Lione, President of the Harley-Davidson Foundation. “We are honored to show support and appreciation to the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to protect our freedom.”
To learn more about the DAV Mobile Service Office or to show your support of this program please go to
www.SupportDAV.org.
For information on Harley-Davidson’s support of Veterans please contact Tony Shields, Harley-Davidson Manager, Community Relations at tony.shields@harley-davidson.com.
About Disabled American Veterans
The 1.3 million-member Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932, represents this nation’s disabled veterans. It is dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for our nation’s disabled veterans and their families. For more information, visit the organization’s Web site
www.SupportDAV.org.
About the Harley-Davidson Foundation
The Harley-Davidson Foundation, Inc. was established in 1993. Harley-Davidson, Inc. utilizes this non-profit organization to support the communities in which the Company has facilities. The majority of the Foundation's investments are in the areas of education and community revitalization with funds also supporting programs in arts and culture, health, the environment, and national veteran's initiatives. For more information, visit www.harley-davidson.com.
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