Gold Star License Plate Program - AmVet Donation

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Gold Star Family License Plate Program Receives $25,000 Donation from AMVETS Foundation of California

The AMVETS Foundation of California has presented a check for $25,000 to the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) Project: Gold Star, the second largest single donation the project has received.

Project: Gold Star was established by CalVet to raise money for the creation of a Gold Star Family License Plate in California. With this donation, CalVet’s Gold Star Family License Plate Program has reached a major milestone, with more than $110,000 of the $300,000 needed to make Gold Star Family License Plates a reality.

“These Families have endured a most painful sacrifice for the sake of our country,” said CalVet Secretary Roger Brautigan. “The state would like to show them our gratitude and support by initiating this program as soon as possible. We are counting on the public to offer their support.”

This presentation was attended by executive staff from the AMVETS Foundation of California, Gold Star Family License Plate Bill author Sen. Dave Cogdill, Assemblyman Paul Cook and family members of fallen service members. This presentation highlighted the accomplishments of the program and reaffirmed the need for future support. The AMVETS Foundation of California represents thousands of veterans in California and is dedicated to serving the needs of our state’s veterans and their families.

This program was established when Governor Schwarzenegger signed SB 1455 (Cogdill) – the Gold Star Family License Plate bill in 2008. The bill authorizes CalVet to sponsor a Gold Star Family specialized license plate program and waives the 7,500 minimum applications requirement. This bill authorizes a family member of a member of the Armed Forces who was killed while serving on active duty in the military to apply for a special license plate with a design containing a Gold Star and the words “Gold Star Family.”

The Gold Star Family License Plates will be produced at no cost to the state’s General Fund, so fundraising will be necessary. CalVet is authorized to actively seek donations to pay for the costs of implementing the program. Therefore, CalVet has established Project: Gold Star to help raise the necessary funds. All of the money collected by Project: Gold Star will be deposited into the Gold Star Family License Plate Account created by SB 1455. Upon appropriation by the Legislature, these funds will be transferred to the Department of Motor Vehicles to cover their costs.

Project: Gold Star began accepting donations upon the signing of the bill. Anyone interested in participating may download, fill out and fax their pledge. Checks made payable to "CDVA Project: Gold Star" can be mailed to Project: Gold Star, 1227 O St, Room 300, Sacramento, CA, 95814 or FAXED to (916) 653-2611. For more information please call (916) 653-2192.

Donations made to the state of California are tax deductible in most cases as a donation to the state (Tax ID # 68-0182830). If you would prefer to donate to a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization, please make your donation to “Project: Gold Star” in care of the VetFund Foundation (Tax ID # 20-5195691).