The Florida Veterans Foundation, a nonprofit organization created by the Legislature to assist Florida’s more than 1.5 million veterans, issued the following statement after lawmakers released their FY 2021-22 budget proposal that includes $245,000 in funding to support the Foundation’s COVID-19 crisis hotline.
The following statement is attributable to Lew Wilson, CEO of the Florida Veterans Foundation.
“The Florida Veterans Foundation thanks the Legislature for developing a pro-veteran budget that includes $245,000 for the Foundation’s COVID-19 crisis hotline. This statewide program will greatly assist Florida veterans who have been impacted by the pandemic, from worsened mental health problems to joblessness and PTSD issues.
We know there were tough decisions that had to be made while developing this year’s budget, and we thank Senate President Wilton Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls, along with Senator Aaron Bean and Representative Bryan Avila for recognizing the importance of supporting our state’s veterans. We’re also grateful to our military veteran legislative partners, including Senator Danny Burgess, Representative Fiona McFarland, Representative Kevin Chambliss, Representative Sam Killebrew and Representative Jackie Toledo who led the way in advocating for the men and women who have served our country and now need our support.
The Florida Veterans Foundation remains committed to doing everything we can to support Florida’s more than 1.5 million veterans, especially those who have been impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis. This funding comes at a critical time to assist the Foundation with meeting their needs and further demonstrates why Florida is the most veteran-friendly state.”
The Florida Veterans Foundation (FVF) is Florida’s premier veteran’s organization created by the Legislature in 2008 to support Florida veterans and their families by partnering with organizations to improve veterans’ physical, mental, emotional and social well-being. Among the FVF’s programs is an Emergency Crisis hotline geared specifically for veterans, offering 24-hour help to prevent veteran suicides and support veterans suffering from opioid addiction.
