The Mystic-based nonprofit Work Vessels for Vets awarded $200,000 in equipment, support and emergency funds to 30 businesses owned by injured veterans and nonprofits that serve veterans across the country in 2020.  

Since 2008, the volunteer-run charity has awarded more than $3.2 million in equipment to 2,200 veteran-entrepreneurs in the U.S. 

“2020 has been a challenging year for everyone," Executive Director Cathy Cook said. “Small businesses everywhere are facing extreme and unprecedented income interruptions, loss of business contracts and the pain of letting new hires go. Many start-ups do not qualify for federal financial aid programs. These hardships are more acute for injured veteran businesses whose owners are also facing personal challenges coping with disabilities, compromised health conditions, and living with post-traumatic stress disorder.”

Some of the equipment awarded included a freezer for a veteran in Vermont to expand products for his veteran-run farmers market and a new commercial miter table for a Kentucky veteran to open a woodworking and design shop.