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Military Connection: Veteran Non-Profits Recognized: By Debbie Gregory

This year, 288 non-profit organizations and programs that benefit service members, Veterans and their families entered to win recognition and grants from the Newman’s Own Awards and the Fisher House Foundation.

The Newman’s Own Awards are presented by the Newman’s Own Foundation, which receives 100% of its funding from the sales of Newman’s Own products. Founded by actor Paul Newman, the company is famous for its salad dressings, pasta sauces, frozen dinners, drinks, and other items, all packaged with the actor’s award winning smile on full display.

Five charities won a total of $200,000 in grants, presented in a ceremony at the Pentagon. Half of the money, $100,000, came from the Newman’s Own Foundation, and the remaining half was matched by the Fisher House Foundation. The top prize of $50,000 was awarded to the Veterans Group, established in 2007 to empower Philadelphia area Veterans and their family members to once again become productive members of society.

Other winners, awarded $37,500 each, include:

Angels of America’s Fallen of Colorado Springs, CO – This non-profit connects the children of our fallen military heroes with a coach or instructor who can mentor them.

Adopt a Vet Dental Program of Reno, NV – Provides pro bono dental care for Veterans. The organization’s founder discovered that 95% of Reno-area Veterans aren’t eligible for VA healthcare, and that most are in need of dental work. The program provides a much needed, and often overlooked service for Veterans.

Mission: Youth Outreach, Boys & Girls Club of Cypress, CA – This facility, is located near multiple military installations, offers scholarships to all children of military families so that they can participate in programs at no cost to their parents.

Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities, of Hartford, CT – Offers a course in entrepreneurship through the School of Business at the University of Connecticut, at no cost to the Veteran.

Over the last fifteen years, 158 programs have received a total of $1.1 million in grants from the Newman’s Own Awards.

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