Franklin County Veterans Outreach Programmes

The outreach programmes are the county's own addition to the office: "All programs facilitated through the Franklin County Veterans Affairs Outreach Program are funded by community donations and contributions." Donations to the Veterans Outreach Fund - tax deductible, by cheque to the office at 425 Franklin Farm Lane or online - and an annual golf tournament pay for the lot; the seventh tournament in 2023 raised a record $69,042.11, and the State's Human Services Block Grant retained revenue added $34,000 for MilitaryShare in 2025-2026, voted by the county's Block Grant committee on October 28, 2025. Operation Rucks to Reins. Equine-assisted therapy for veterans, guard members and reservists, run with Franklin County's Penn State Extension staff as a three-part programme - ground lessons, therapeutic riding and therapeutic driving - in eight-week sessions. Apply on the county's application to [email protected]; medical and release forms follow before starting. Focus Photography. Therapeutic photography for Franklin County veterans - photo-based activities "self-initiated and conducted by oneself", with no therapist involved - open to all county veterans on the same application. Franklin County MilitaryShare. Fresh food distributed free, twice a month, to county families with at least one member who has served or is serving, in partnership with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and on Block Grant money; proof of service is required and pre-registration lets organizers order the right quantity - register on 717-263-4326 or the outreach email. The county's 2025-2026 Block Grant plan counts 633 households and 1,342 individuals served, 871 of them over 60. Operation Save-A-Vet, Save-A-Pet. The office's listed programme pairing veterans with rescued animals; the Block Grant committee's 2024 minutes record plans to request funds for it alongside MilitaryShare. We Support You Scholarship. Five one-time $1,000 scholarships a year for Franklin County high-school seniors who are veterans' dependents, needing 2.5 or better, extracurricular and community service, and three references including a guidance counsellor; applications open in January. The 2026 recipients - Sawyer Allen, Tara Brown, Camellia Holthaus, Luke Metz and Kenney Tripp - were announced May 26, 2026, the fund supported that year by a donation from Elks Lodge 600 in Chambersburg. Around the office: county employees' dress-down fundraiser sent $750 to the historic Letterkenny Chapel and 9/11 Memorial Park in June 2026, presented by the commissioners with the chapel board's car show - the largest in south-central Pennsylvania, with veterans activities planned - following in August.