The recently established San Juan County Veterans’ Advisory Board (VAB) has completed its initial planning and is pleased to announce the availability of San Juan County’s Veteran’s Assistance Fund (VAF).

With an estimated 2,500 veterans in San Juan County, the County Council determined a need for an organized program to assist indigent veterans and their dependents in time of need. The VAB was established earlier this year with the guidance of Councilman Alan Lichter, himself a veteran, who serves as the VAB’s Chair. There are nine members of the VAB, all veterans themselves, who come from San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez islands.

“Our VAF,” Lichter said, “has approximately $40,000 available each year to help our veterans when they’re experiencing difficulties. This money comes from a fractional percentage of our taxes, but can make a huge difference to veterans and their families during challenging times.

“The Assistance Fund is not a source of revenue for veterans, but is intended to help with emergencies, such as rent, groceries, burial expense, car repair, transportation, and medically related issues not covered by the VA. One veteran recently needed some temporary help with rent when his job ended; another veteran needed some car repairs to keep his VA appointments in Seattle. We were pleased to assist in both instances.

“Before we organized our San Juan County VAB, the Assistance Fund, which had existed for some years, was guided by our American Legion Posts, and we owe them a great deal of thanks and appreciation for their outstanding work. We’re also pleased that our Council has established this first-ever Advisory Board, which will oversee the use of taxpayer dollars that make possible this humanitarian fund.”

Applications for assistance are available at all San Juan County Senior Service Centers, where staff members will help veterans file their requests. Veterans may also obtain applications at American Legion Posts, at Council offices in Friday Harbor, and at other public venues, such as County libraries. Completed applications will be directed to the VAB Chair at the County Council offices.

Lichter said, “Our Advisory Board is prepared to consider and respond quickly to each veteran’s request. If the need is time-sensitive, we can even provide assistance within 24 hours. Our veterans put themselves at risk to help us; we’ll do all we can to help them.”

For more information, or if there are questions, call the VAB and its Chair at the Council offices, 378-2898.