People Working Cooperatively has raised more than $93,000 to help veterans in need.
The funds will go toward home modifications and repairs for local veterans.
The money was collected as part of the agency’s Ramp It Up for Veterans campaign, which raises money to provide critical repairs and accessibility modifications in the homes of local veterans.
People Working Cooperatively, a 48-year-old nonprofit serving low-income, elderly, and disabled homeowners in 20 counties of southwest Ohio, Dayton, northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana, recently hosted its eighth annual Ramp It Up for Veterans telethon. Nearly 30 veterans representing all branches of the U.S. armed forces volunteered to answer phones from 4-8 p.m. during the telethon, which aired live on WCPO-TV Channel 9 and was supported by partner AARP Cincinnati.
The telethon raised more than $23,000 in donations, adding to the overall fundraising campaign’s total of more than $93,000.
“The outpouring of support we have received from donors, volunteers, partners and staff is incredibly humbling,” said Jock Pitts, PWC president. “The funds raised during the telethon – and throughout the entire Ramp It Up for Veterans campaign – go directly to help veterans in our community who deserve assistance after all they have sacrificed for our country. With these donations, we can provide repairs to keep the homes in working order and modifications like ramps to allow safer access in and out of the home.”
Since the Ramp It Up for Veterans campaign first launched in 2012, more than 6,200 households of veterans, surviving spouses and/or children of veterans have been assisted. PWC’s staff of licensed, trained employees and dedicated corps of volunteers assist nearly 6,000 individuals in more than 3,500 homes each year.
The fastest-growing demographic of veterans are those ages 65 years and older. In Hamilton County, 53% of all veterans are over the age of 65 with more than 2,000 living in poverty. PWC currently has nearly 400 veterans on its waiting list for services.