American Water Foundation donates $25K to support a veteran’s life-changing road to recovery

CAMDEN - The American Water Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization established by American Water, and American Water’s Military Services Group, recently announced that the Foundation awarded a $25,000 State Strategic Impact grant to K9s For Warriors, the nation’s largest provider of trained Service Dogs for veterans with invisible wounds of war, for the third consecutive year.

“We are thankful for the American Water Charitable Foundation’s continued support of our mission to end veteran suicide,” Lindsay Grayson, chief revenue officer, K9s For Warriors, said.

“K9s For Warriors has paired more than 1,000 veterans with a service dog," Grayson added. "With the American Water Charitable Foundation’s help, we can continue to provide these life-changing animals to veterans in need, helping them regain their independence and improve their quality of life.”

K9s For Warriors remains committed to ending veteran suicide, raising awareness for invisible disabilities, and creating policy-level reform for our veterans.

“The American Water Charitable Foundation is thrilled to partner once again with K9s For Warriors to support their mission and promote the well-being of our veterans,” said Carrie Williams, President, American Water Charitable Foundation.

“This grant will play a vital role in saving two lives: a brave veteran who has served our country and a rescue dog that deserves a second chance at a happy life. It also reflects our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and our veterans," Williams added.

The State Strategic Impact grant is part of the 2024 Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, focusing on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities. State Strategic Impact grants support high-impact projects and initiatives throughout American Water’s national footprint.

“We are delighted to collaborate with the American Water Charitable Foundation in continuing our support for K9s For Warriors, an organization dedicated to helping the veteran community and resonates with our team,” Sean Wheatley, president, American Water Military Services Group said.

“This partnership reinforces our Military Services Group’s mission to provide safe and reliable water and wastewater services to service members and their families on 18 military installations," he added.

In the past two years, the American Water Charitable Foundation, in partnership with American Water’s Military Services Group, has contributed an additional $50,000 in State Strategic Impact grants to K9s For Warriors.

In 2022 and 2023, the Foundation sponsored two dogs, Hydra and Honor, both of whom successfully completed Service Dog training and were paired with a Warrior.