Purple Heart Initiative

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

Purple Heart Initiative, Polk County, Florida 1Abstract of the ProgramPolk County Veterans received $153,436,835 in benefits in the last fiscal year, an astounding increase of $24,476,835 over the previous year thanks directly and indirectly to a public awareness program aimed to honor our Purple Heart Veterans.The largest cause of military veterans not receiving benefits is their lack of knowledge of benefits available and where to get assistance. Polk County Board of County Commissioners Veterans Services and Transit Services programs joined forces with 17 municipalities, to boost awareness by having Polk designated as a Purple Heart County.Polk County is home to more than 60,000 military veterans including nearly 4,000 Purple Heart recipients. This large veteran population continues to grow with soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Polk County Veterans Services used this public awareness campaign to make veterans aware that the county they call home is ready to assist them so that they receive their military benefits.The public outreach effort which includes a bus wrap featuring local Purple Heart veterans from different eras continues, making veterans aware that Polk County Veterans Services is ready to serve them as diligently as they served their country.