PERKINS TWP.

A $15,000 grant has been awarded to the Ohio Veterans Home by the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust.

The grant, which was announced Thursday, will assist in purchasing progressive protective equipment and supplies for residents and caregivers at OVH.

"We are very grateful that so many Americans support the Charitable Service Trust, which assists many vital programs for our nation's disabled veterans," said Richard E. Marbes, chairman of the DAV board of directors. "The work accomplished by the organizations that receive DAV Charitable Service Trust grants provides many valuable and important initiatives that help the men and women who have sacrificed so much to our nation."

Reena Norman, risk management director for OVH, submitted the documentation for the grant in mid-July. She was notified Nov. 1 that the grant had been awarded to OVH.

Gary Chetwood, director of public affairs for OVH, said it was a pleasant surprise that the grant check actually arrived with the notification that OVH had won the grant.

"Normally, you receive the notification first and then it takes awhile before you actually receive the funds, but this wasn't the case here. We have the funds right now, which is great," Chetwood said.

He said the grant will be used to purchase hip and elbow pads, which help prevent pressure sores from forming on bedridden patients.

Some of the grant money may also be used to purchase a lift used to turn heavier patients, he said.

Chetwood said using a lift gives patients more mobility, prevents pressure sores, and also prevents injury to staff by allowing them to move a heavy patient safely.

The price tag for such a device ranges from $6,000 to $12,000, Chetwood said.

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