Six veteran organizations receive grants in Scranton

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The City of Scranton showed some appreciation to veterans this morning by awarding several grants to benefit programs geared toward veterans.

Thursday morning the two organizations 28/22 News spoke with said they are beyond grateful for the grant and to the City of Scranton.

$85,500 in grant money will be split among six veteran organizations in Scranton to help them with everything from upkeep to providing services. The groups applied for the funding earlier this year. Grants are provided through the city’s 2024 operating budget.

Catholic Social Services was one of the six receiving a grant.

• Catholic Social Services, 600 Wyoming Ave., $17,500 for the purchase of commercial-grade laundry appliances and community center improvements at St. Francis Commons, 504 Penn Ave.;
• Northeastern Marine Corps League Auxiliary, $10,000, to provide gifts to Marine Corps veterans at the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center and other local sites;
• Scranton Veterans Memorial Park, located at Scranton High School, 63 Munchak Way, Scranton, $5,000 to purchase flags for each branch of the Armed Forces, landscaping, and public seating;
• UKAVETS, 237 Railroad Ave., $17,500 for the completion of a recently constructed patio supported by a previous City veterans’ grant;
• Valhalla Veterans Services, 2754 Jackson St., $17,500 to provide clinical mental health services, suicide intervention, and follow-on care to veterans, law enforcement, fire fighters, and emergency medical technicians; and
• Warrior Strong, 311 Adams Ave., $17,500 to provide holistic health and wellness programming to veterans, including mental health, physical fitness, nutritional education, and community engagement activities.

“We’re gonna use that money for some new furniture as well as new washers and dryers and a general upgrade of the building,” said Joe Mahoney the CEO of Catholic Social Services Diocese of Scranton.

The executive director of Valhalla Veterans Services says it’s been difficult to raise funds for some time now so this funding will help.

“We need the money right so that’s an awesome thing to be able to get the funding to continue to do what we’re doing, but the other part of that is that to be part of the city that recognizes a culture within its community in other words that veteran culture as a group that might need some help is an awesome thing,” explained Eric Darling the executive director of Valhalla Veterans Services.

The Northeastern Marine Corps League Auxiliary received money to provide gifts to the Marine Corps veterans at the Gino Merli Center.

“We’re just thrilled that the city is helping veterans you know the support means just as much to us that the mayor comes out says, and we love our veterans, and by the way here’s proof of the love for our veterans,” added Mahoney.

“It’s a blessing I mean, that’s probably the best way I can say it. It’s a blessing to be able to receive this and for a little while, not have to think about trying to fund the organization being able to focus on providing the services is a truly awesome thing,” continued Darling.

Also receiving grants for a patio project, Warrior Strong for Veterans programs, and Scranton Veterans Memorial Park.

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