Major League Baseball, McCormick Foundation Raise Nearly $6 Million For Veterans Through 'Welcome Back Veterans'; Initiative Addresses Challenges of Mental Health Injuries, Employment for Returning Vets and Their Families.

(From AScribe)

CHICAGO -- The McCormick Foundation's Board of Directors has approved more than $2.9 million in grants of nearly $6 million raised to nonprofit organizations serving veterans as part of Welcome Back Veterans, it was announced Tuesday.

Welcome Back Veterans, a national public awareness and fundraising initiative that addresses the mental health and employment needs of America's returning war veterans and their families, was created by New York Mets Chairman and CEO Fred Wilpon and private citizens, and is supported by Major League Baseball, Major League Baseball Advanced Media and the McCormick Foundation.

The first round of grants will be distributed to 12 nonprofit organizations that provide mental health services to veterans, job training and placement, and family care. Included in the grants are funds provided to the University Hospitals of Weill Cornell in New York City, The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Stanford University in Palo Alto, which will be opening clinics in each of their locations to treat Veterans and their families. A complete record of grants awarded is provided below.

Welcome Back Veterans has raised more than $3.9 million as of October 17, 2008. An additional $2 million in matching funds was provided by the McCormick Foundation (first $4 million raised matched at 50 cents on the dollar). With all administrative costs paid by Major League Baseball and the McCormick Foundation, approximately $5.9 million is available for distribution to nonprofit agencies targeting veterans' …