Niagara County 'Thank A Vet' program includes dozens of businesses

by Terry Duffy

As Veterans Day approaches, the Niagara County Clerk's Office wishes to remind area servicemen and women of the availability of the county's "Thank A Vet" program and its many benefits.

County Clerk Wayne Jagow, who is credited with first organizing this program, points out its purpose is to honor the service and sacrifices made by the nation's returning veterans of all wars and conflicts.

Under the Niagara County "Thank A Vet" Discount Program, all eligible veterans can apply for a photo I.D. card, identifying them as an honorably discharged veteran. Participating county merchants, in turn, recognize the cardholder by providing discounts on a large variety of purchases or services ranging from taxi rides to health services, home repairs and improvement, restaurant and bar discounts, deals on retail purchases and financial services, auto repairs, even cottage rentals and area tour offerings.

"It's really one of the best things that I think we've done in the clerk's office to not only say 'Thank you' to the vets for their service, but to give them something concrete," Jagow said.

Discount cards can be obtained at the Niagara County Clerk's Office, 175 Hawley St., Lockport, Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eligibility guidelines for veterans include:

•Must be a Niagara County resident.

•Must be a qualified, honorably discharged veteran of any branch of the United States armed forces.

•The veteran's official discharge papers (DD-214) must be on file in the Niagara County Clerk's Office. If a DD-214 is not on file, it must be presented for filing prior to issuance of a discount card.

•The veteran must also present official government photo identification showing a Niagara County address (New York drivers license or non-driver ID card).

Jagow reports a large number of Niagara County businesses are now participating in the "Thank A Vet" program, all offering benefits to eligible veterans. A complete list can be found on the county's "Thank A Vet" program website, www.niagaracounty.com/CountyInformation/ThankaVet.

Select businesses, just in the coverage areas of the Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune and Lewiston-Porter Sentinel, number close to 100 and include the following:

•5 Star Home Improvement, Wheatfield; Aero Taxi and Limo Services, Wheatfield; Anchor Spirits-Wine & Liquor, Youngstown; Arrowhead Spring Vineyards, Lockport; Audiology on Demand, Niagara Falls; Auto World Service, North Tonawanda; Baase Family Chiropractic P.C., North Tonawanda; Bailey's Fine Jewelry, North Tonawanda; Bandana's Bar & Grill, Youngstown; Bare Foot Bling, Lewiston; Bayside Power Washing, Wilson; Beachfront Vacation Cottages, Olcott; Black Willow Winery, Burt; Buffalo Wild Wings, all locations; C J Guindon Landscaping & More, Niagara Falls; Cataract City FCU, Niagara Falls; CB Home Repairs & Remodeling, North Tonawanda; Chez Elle Hair Salon, North Tonawanda; Chiropractic Wellness Center, Niagara Falls; and Coldwell Banker Talarico Real Estate, Lewiston.

•Compu-Mail, Niagara Falls; CTD Painting Inc., North Tonawanda; D G Bread & Pizza Inc., Niagara Falls; D&K Landscaping Inc., North Tonawanda; D'Avolio Olive Oils and Vinegars, Lewiston; DeCarr Studio of Photography, Lewiston; Dental Wellness, North Tonawanda; Drake Lawn & Garden Inc., Wheatfield; Doctors Potempa, Dick and Riad, Wilson; Dynamic Ceramics, Niagara Falls; E.G. Smith Investment Services, Niagara Falls; Faery's Nursery, Ransomville; Falls Pest Control, Niagara Falls; Fantastic Sam's, North Tonawanda; Fashion Outlets of Niagara USA, Town of Niagara; Favorite's Pizzeria, Lewiston; Finishing Touch Landscaping and Snowplowing, Sanborn; Firehouse Subs, Niagara Falls; Firestone Complete Auto Care, Niagara Falls; and Floral Accents, North Tonawanda.

•Ford Veterinary Associates P.C., Niagara Falls and Lewiston; Frank's Liquors, North Tonawanda; Freedom Run Winery, Lockport; Frenchy's Restaurant & Pizzeria, Niagara Falls; George Edwards Jewelers, Wheatfield; George Optical, Niagara Falls; Girasole Appraisal, Lewiston; Guard Contracting Corp., Tonawanda; H.A. Treichler & Sons Inc., Sanborn; Hard Rock Café, Niagara Falls USA, Niagara Falls; Heimiller Greenhouses LLC, Newfane; HoganWillig Attorneys, Lewiston; Hour Glass Excavating Inc., Wilson; Hunt Real Estate ERA, Wheatfield and Lewiston locations; J & M Accounting Solutions, Niagara Falls; J.R. Philip Tax Preparation, Niagara Falls; Kacalski & Hannon D.D.S., North Tonawanda; Kendzia Tire & Auto Service, Niagara Falls; KEW Mechanical, Wilson; and KI-PO Motors Chevrolet, Inc., Ransomville.

•Legal Shield/Herberger Consulting, Ransomville; Lewiston Chiropractic, Lewiston; Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride, Lockport; Mid-City Opticians, North Tonawanda; North Tonawanda History Museum, North Tonawanda; Never Forgotten Grave Care, Lewiston; Newfane Family Dentistry, Newfane; Newfane Family Eyecare, Newfane; Niagara Falls North KOA, Lewiston; Niagara Floral Center & Greenhouse at Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara; Niagara Falls; Niagara Frontier Publications, Grand Island; Niagara Jet Adventures, Youngstown; Niagara Landing Wine Cellars, Lockport; Niagara Regional Federal Credit Union, North Tonawanda; Niagara University Athletics, Niagara University; Olde Time Barber Shop, Lewiston; Really Sharp Enterprises, Lewiston; and Reiki 4 Better Living, Lewiston.

•Riverdale Cemetery, Lewiston; Rocky's Pizza Too!, Ransomville; Salisa's All American Diner, Wheatfield; Sanborn Old General Store (Antique Co-op), Sanborn; Stair Lift Solutions Plus, Ransomville; Stedman Old Farm Nursery, Newfane; Steve's Heating & Air Conditioning Inc., Niagara Falls; Sunny's Roost Bed & Breakfast; Lewiston; Susha Shoes, Lewiston; Taylor's Tap & Grill, Wheatfield; The Village Bake Shoppe, Lewiston; The Wilson House Restaurant & Inn, Wilson; Theatre in the Mist Inc., Lewiston; Tuscarora Roofing & Siding Co. Inc., Sanborn; Victoria's Family Hair Care, Youngstown; Wheatfield Family Dentistry, Wheatfield; and Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours, Lewiston.

For more information on each merchant and details on the discount particulars, visit the "Thank A Vet website, www.niagaracounty.com/CountyInformation/ThankaVet.