Grantee Spotlight: Wounded Veterans Relief Fund

Filling A Critical Gap for Veterans

In 2023, Impact the Palm Beaches awarded a $100,000 grant to the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund (WVRF), fueling the growth of its Critical Dental Assistance Program. This initiative fills a critical gap for veterans who are ineligible for dental care through the VA, ensuring those who have served our country receive the care, dignity, and confidence they deserve.

With the Impact grant, WVRF delivered direct dental services to 41 veterans in northern Palm Beach County—part of a larger effort that reached 65 veterans locally during the grant period. By negotiating with 117 dental providers and 12 dental labs across Florida, WVRF was able to provide $527,000 worth of care for just over $151,000, stretching every dollar to its maximum impact.

The success of this program has sparked incredible momentum. WVRF has since attracted support from major funders like the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation and the Admirals Cove Foundation, while also receiving inquiries from organizations nationwide interested in replicating the model. Beyond large-scale treatments, WVRF continues to expand access through a mobile dental clinic in North Palm Beach, where veterans receive cleanings, exams, and fillings—many at no cost.

Most importantly, the impact is seen in lives transformed: “I haven’t stopped smiling since! I owe it all to WVRF,” shared one veteran. Another wrote, “I was in tears when I left the dentist’s office. This has truly been a blessing.”

Thanks to your support, veterans across Palm Beach County are regaining their health, their confidence, and their smiles—one person at a time.

Want to get more involved?

Reach out to Mike Durkee, U.S. Army, Executive Director of WVRF

Office: (561) 855-4207 | Cell: (561) 713-4511 | mdurkee@wvrf.org

Learn more at wvrf.org