The Cummins Inc., Jamestown Engine Plant, Veterans Affinity Group recently raised $5,000 for the Chautauqua County Veterans Endowment Fund.
The group had an opportunity to purchase camouflaged Support Our Soldiers shirts from another Cummins Inc. plant. The shirts were so popular with the plant's employees that the Veterans Affinity Group decided to do its own fundraiser.
Employees bought more than 300 JEP Supports Our Troops shirts, raising $5,000.
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Troy Smith and County Executive Greg Edwards accept the check on behalf of the Chautauqua County Endowment Fund from the Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant Veterans Affinity Group and David Porter, plant manager.
It was important to the Veterans Affinity Group that the money make the largest impact possible in the local area. The Chautauqua County Veterans Endowment Fund was a perfect choice. The money is managed by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. A board of five veterans review and approve loan applications. The endowment fund provides small loans up to $500 to local veterans to help pay bills and to meet emergency needs. If the veteran pays the loan back they are eligible to apply for a future loan.
Troy Smith, state veteran counselor and a member of the endowment fund, said the largest previous single donation was $1,500.