Dane County Executive Parisi, Supervisor Hotchkiss Announces “Vets Ride with Pride” Program

February 07, 2013
Carrie Springer, Office of the County Executive 608.267.8823 or cell, 608.843.8858
County Executive

Transit passes available through Dane County Veterans Service Office

 

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and Dane County Supervisor Erika Hotchkiss today announced a new program to provide transit passes for Dane County veterans in receipt of VA service-connected disability compensation or non-service connected disability pension. Parisi included funding to start the program, “Vets Ride with Pride,” in his 2013 budget at the request of Hotchkiss.  The county funding is being supplemented with a private donation.

 

“The ‘Vets Ride with Pride’ will help our veterans get access to the services they may need when they return home. As more of our brave men and women return home from service overseas, we should do everything we can to help them transition back into the life they left behind to serve us,” said Parisi.

 

The transit passes will be dispensed through the Dane County Veterans Service Office. A resolution finalizing the program was introduced earlier this month by members of the Dane County Board of Supervisors and is pending before the board.

 

"As a nurse in Mental Health at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Madison I see daily the needs of our veterans for transportation services. These bus vouchers will provide independence for many of our disabled veterans to access appointments, housing, employment, education, and provide for their basic needs.  I am proud to be part of real solutions that support the men and women who have served our country in providing them with the tools they need to be successful,” said Hotchkiss.

 

Parisi’s budget included numerous initiatives to help returning veterans in Dane County including a new Veterans Service Officer position focused on the needs of female veterans and funding for an online calendar.  Once the online calendar project is complete, veterans will be able to use it to schedule appointments with the Veterans Service Office online or with their phone.

 

“Our efforts to modernize services for our veterans will hopefully make the transition home a little easier for our men and women in uniform,” said Parisi.

 

The “Vets Ride with Pride” program is set up to receive donations from anyone wishing to contribute.  Information on how to donate to the program can be obtained from the Dane County Veterans Service Office at (608) 266-4158.

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