Roach not associated with Alaska Veterans Foundation Inc.

To the editor:

In a recent article, your publication mentioned the Alaska Veterans Foundation Inc. in relation to recent legal action against a former associate, Frank Roach and his Boxes for Heroes project.

Frank Roach is not nor has he been associated with this foundation for some time. He was briefly supported by the foundation some years ago when he approached us to work with him in his ongoing project, known as Boxes for Heroes. At that time we found that he did in fact have a program operated in the Mat-Su area where he gathered funds and in-kind donations at the Three Bears market at Four Corners. He was also then working with the Boys and Girls Club of Mat-Su in the organization, packaging and mailing out these boxes. The program appeared to be legitimate and we were pleased to offer our assistance.

Some months after this started, we received a significant in-kind donation from a local distributor, which was turned over to Frank. Weeks later we received a call from that contributor angry that his contribution was being sold to bars and other businesses in the Kenai area. We advised we knew nothing about this and immediately attempted to contact Frank to find out what he was doing with these donated items. We discovered that, in fact, he had taken the donation and was selling it for cash — totally without our knowledge or permission. We contacted the local police department and terminated our relationship with Frank and his program.

Later, we discovered that checks that had been made out to the foundation, at the request of Frank were altered with his name on them, or the donor was asked to put his name on them — and he was cashing them for his own use, again without our knowledge or consent.

We cooperated with the Kenai police and other law enforcement agencies investigating these issues and other claims against Frank at that time. We were later informed that Frank had been found guilty of forgery and was in jail.

Although the Boxes for Heroes project started out as what appeared to be a legitimate veterans/service members support effort, it turned into something that the foundation could not support nor be affiliated with and we dropped all solicitations for that program.

As late as this winter, we were again interviewed by law enforcement about Frank and his program and again advised that Frank was not affiliated with the foundation in any way and certainly had no authority to imply otherwise. We actually filed a complaint about Frank and his activities.

It is the purpose of the foundation to be supportive of veteran charities if we find them legitimate and transparent. We have often been approached and have approached such organizations, and had to walk away because of our concerns. We welcome the legal actions against Frank and will continue to be cooperative in any further investigations regarding his activities if requested.

Ric Davidge, chairman

Alaska Veterans

Foundation