Farmingdale, NY – August 9, 2022 – PALS (Patient Airlift Services) is honored to announce it has received a grant from the Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) for $22,000, which will fund critical free flights for veterans to travel to medical care, rehabilitation and morale boosting events.
Donna Collins, Executive Director of PALS said, “It is our honor to provide free flights to veterans to medical treatment, rehabilitative programs and morale boosting events through our PALS for Patriots program. Funding from DVNF allows us to connect more veterans to life-changing services.”
Joseph VanFonda (USMC Sgt.Maj. Ret.), CEO of the Disabled Veterans National Foundation said, “We are very excited to partner with PALS for Patriots Program, the more resources available for our veterans help align the playing field of the needs of our disabled and at-risk veterans.”
Through its PALS for Patriots program, PALS’ volunteer pilots fly injured and disabled US military veterans and their caregivers to military medical centers, adaptive retreats, and morale-boosting events throughout the eastern US (all states east of the Mississippi River). PALS for Patriots serves those who have given all to serve our country: since the program began in 2011, PALS has flown more than 1,200 veterans and their families to receive life-changing services and life-saving care.
“It is our honor to provide free flights to veterans to medical treatment, rehabilitative programs and morale boosting events through our PALS for Patriots program. Funding from DVNF allows us to connect more veterans to life-changing services.”
About the Disabled Veterans National Foundation:
Disabled Veterans National Foundation exists to provide critically needed support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military wounded—physically or psychologically—after defending our safety and our freedom.
DVNF achieves this mission by:
- Offering direct financial support to veteran organizations that address the unique needs of veterans, and whose missions align with that of DVNF.
- Providing supplemental assistance to homeless and low-income veterans through the Health & Comfort program and various empowerment resources.
- Providing an online resource database that allows veterans to navigate the complex process of seeking benefits that they are entitled to as a result of their military service, as well as additional resources they need.
- Serving as a thought leader on critical policy issues within the veteran community and educating the public accordingly.
Disabled Veterans National Foundation Contact:
Communications Team
Meredith Fick
communications@dvnf.org
About PALS
Patient AirLift Services (PALS) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, NY. PALS arranges free nonemergency air transportation for underserved individuals requiring out-of-town or out-of-state medical care, compassionate assistance, or humanitarian aid. Since its inception in 2010, PALS has arranged more than 26,000 free flights for thousands of seriously ill children, adults, disabled veterans, and disaster victims throughout the eastern United States.
PALS has more than 1,300 volunteers, including 600 pilots, and is reachable 365 days a year. All of PALS’ services are completely free, and there is no limit to the number of times a patient can fly with PALS. Its seamless, door-to-door service even includes ground transportation between the airport and the patient’s final destination. PALS alleviates the logistical and financial burden of transportation so that families can focus on their treatment. Whether flying a child to receive lifesaving cancer care, a mother to be at her son’s hospital bedside, or a disabled veteran to meet her new service dog, PALS goes above and beyond to lift people up.
