ALBANY COUNTY — In the lead-up to Memorial Day, Albany County has awarded $15,000 each to 10 different veterans’ service organizations as an annual token of appreciation.

The organizations that have received the money in The Enterprise coverage area are the American Legion Helderberg Post 977 and the Boyd Hilton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6776 — both in Altamont — the American Legion Voorheesville Post 1493, and the American Legion Blanchard Currey Post 1040, in Delmar. 

Each organization had to submit plans for how to use the money to Albany County before receiving the funds, Helderberg Post Commander James Gaige told The Enterprise this week. Gaige said his post has a “list” of improvements they hope to make to their building on Altamont Boulevard. 

Last year, the post put the money toward a new roof, a project that exceeded the $15,000 but has been finished thanks to fundraising. 

The Boyd Hilton VFW and Voorheesville American Legion likewise put their money toward building improvements last year — with Boyd Hilton fixing up its parking lot and entrance, and Voorheesville reinforcing its foundation and installing a new heat pump. 

Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy, who serves in the National Guard, said in a press release, “Albany County is home to over 20,000 veterans that our Veterans Service Bureau assists each year. While I’m incredibly proud of the services and programs we offer, I also know that real, lasting change happens through partnerships. 

“These grants are about giving our veterans service organizations the tools and resources they need to keep making a difference. It’s also a statement that their work matters, and we’re going to keep showing up for them like they’ve shown up for our veterans.”

Albany County Legislature Deputy Chairwoman Wanda Willingham said that, as the daughter of a veteran and mother of the first Black person and woman to serve as commander of the American Legion Post 1610 in North Albany, “This is a very special day for me and my family.”

“Organizations like VFWs and American Legion Posts provide safe havens for veterans to be among friends, even when they don’t know anyone in the building,” she said. “There is a kinship of the uniform – even in all of its different shades of blue, green, black – that is unique to the armed services. 

“So, today, I give thanks to all of the organizations here for cultivating and maintaining those kind spaces and providing the services and programs that all of our veterans from throughout Albany County need and love.”