Federal check stimulates idea to help veterans

Joe Codiroli got a check in the mail that he never expected -- and that stimulated an idea for helping wounded military veterans and the families of those who had been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.

Codiroli, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel in Chesterfield County, was surprised to receive a letter more than a month ago from the federal government informing him that he would receive a $250 payment through the stimulus package adopted by Congress in February. The one-time payment goes to veterans who receive disability or other benefits.

"I started to think of all the other people I know in a similar situation receiving this unexpected gift -- all my retired military friends and my co-workers at a large defense contractor," said Codiroli, who works as a consultant for a defense contractor in the Washington area.

Within hours, Codiroli had created a Web site and started making phone calls to fellow veterans to urge them to donate the stimulus payment, if they can afford it, to a pair of charities helping veterans and their families.

He also formed a nonprofit organization, VetsGive250.org, to encourage the idea. The effort is just getting started and hasn't gotten but a handful of pledges, but it has struck a chord with the organizations it's intended to benefit.

"It is a unique idea," said Paul D'Alessandro, who works with major donors to the Wounded Warrior Project based in Jacksonville, Fla. "I think the way it will work is virally on the Internet."

Codiroli, who received his check in late June, is urging veterans to send their checks either to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund, a Northern Virginia-based program for helping the children of veterans killed or permanently disabled in combat or military training.

"I am not familiar with another effort of this kind," said Tom Kilgannon, president of the Freedom Alliance, a Loudoun County organization that runs the program.

"Obviously, this is set up for veterans helping veterans," he said, "but I don't think it precludes any civilians wanting to help the military and veterans from doing so."

In addition to veterans who receive disability and other benefits, the stimulus payment will go to people who receive Social Security & Supplemental Security Income benefits and railroad retirement beneficiaries who get checks from the Railroad Retirement Board. To be eligible, people must have received benefits between November and January.

Codiroli, who served in the Air Force from 1984 to 2004, recognizes that many veterans and their families can't afford to give away a $250 windfall, which was designed to be recycled back into the ailing American economy.

"There are plenty of vets out there who need every dime they can get," he said. "They should keep it."

The stimulus checks came as a surprise to D'Alessandro, whose organization helps wounded veterans with a variety of programs. While the checks are relatively small, the donations could add up to a significant sum. "Even if you got 1,000 people to do it, it would make an incredible difference," he said.

He also applauded the positive energy behind the idea.

"It's getting people involved," D'Alessandro said. "Joe, that's the kind of guy who's giving up his time, talent and treasure."

Contact Michael Martz at (804) 649-6964 or .