Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is Not a Motorcycle Club
Our Homegrown Veterans Assistance Program

The last sentence of our mission statement reads “We are also committed to helping America Veterans from all wars.” That is why Rolling Thunder® Inc., Illinois Chapter #1 began a Veterans Assistance Program to provide assistance to deserving Veterans - those who were not able to receive assistance from traditional sources. We decided to provide a last ditch resource.  Since that austere beginning in 2016 we have assisted 286 Illinois veterans with $253,300 in paid bills. Almost all of our assistance involves housing in one way or another..

All requests are treated with respect and care for the Veteran’s privacy, knowing how hard it is for a proud Veteran or his/her family to ask for help.

Currently, we only consider applications referred to us by the Will County, DuPage County and Kane County Veteran Assistance Commissions.  We depend on the county VAC's to vet or qualify the Veterans as well as making sure they have investigated all available social services from the county, the State of Illinois, the Veterans Administration, etc.  Payments are never made to the Veteran but are paid on veteran's behalf.

Our assistance is a once per year - per individual. The dollar amounts are small and intended to handle a short term emergency.  Such “emergencies” include a necessary car or mortgage payment to prevent repossession or eviction; a car repair; electrical or a phone payment to prevent loss of service. 

Here is a typical story:  The DuPage County Veteran Assistance Commission referred to our Veteran Assistance Program an 87 year old Veteran living in Darien, IL. Due to some medical issues, he fell behind on his gas bill. His service was shut off. He lived without the ability to cook or shower for weeks.  The electric company threatened shut off their service as well.  Rolling Thunder® Inc., IL Chapter #1 paid the past due gas bill which allowed gas service to be restored. A chapter member helped the Veteran to fill out a ComEd Champ Grant Application which resolved his electrical utility problem.  The Veteran’s daughter agreed to move in with him to help him financially going forward.

This is just one example of how Rolling Thunder®, Inc., Illinois Chapter #1 has been able to help a Veteran with a short term emergency need. There are many more stories to be told.

Veterans needing assistance should start at their local county Veteran Assistance Commission.  The VAC will refer to us if there are still unmet needs.