Pennsylvanians looking for a patriotic way to donate during the holiday season are reminded that they can give to programs that support the commonwealth's nearly 700,000 veterans, service members and their families. The programs are managed by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA).

The tax-deductible programs administered by the DMVA include the Veterans' Trust Fund (VTF). The VTF issues grants to statewide charitable organizations that assist veterans, veteran service organizations, and county directors of Veterans Affairs to help veterans in need of shelter and necessities of living. The VTF also issues temporary assistance grants to individual veterans who have qualifying financial needs. The grants are funded by Pennsylvanians who voluntarily donate when applying for or renewing their driver's license or photo identification card and renewing a motor vehicle registration, from proceeds generated by the sale of the Honoring Our Veterans and Honoring Our Women Veterans license plates, and by those who donate online or by mail.

The Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP) provides financial assistance, in the form of grants, to eligible Pennsylvania service members and their eligible family members who have an immediate financial need based on circumstances beyond their control. This program is made possible by donations from taxpayers who designate all or part of their Pennsylvania personal income tax refund to support Pennsylvania military personnel and their families and by those who donate online or by mail.

Residents' Welfare Funds at each of the DMVA's six veterans homes help to keep the residents active and healthy by providing activities and entertainment. Donations are made online or through private donations by mail.

Donations may also be made to the Pennsylvania Veterans' Memorial Trust Fund. Located at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Lebanon County and maintained by the DMVA, the newly refurbished Pennsylvania Veterans' Memorial honors veterans of all eras from the Revolutionary War forward. Donations are accepted online or by mail to help fund the maintenance and repair of the memorial.

When an online donation is made, donors may choose to enter honoree information, and a plaque in their honor will be displayed on the Virtual Donor Wall. Online plaques will show that donations have been made in honor of, in memory of, or on behalf of someone.

Monetary donations to these tax-deductible programs can be made by individuals, corporations, and companies.

For more information about the aforementioned programs and to donate, http://www.pa.gov/dmva/donate/.