2 Steelers' Legends Lead Charge For Free Bus Passes For Vets In Need

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Steeler greats Rocky Bleier and Jerome Bettis recorded a public service announcement at KDKA aimed at raising money for veterans' bus passes.

United Way of Western Pennsylvania hopes to raise $180,000 to provide transportation for 600 veterans.

"People face a hard time getting a job, and getting medical appointments, sometimes facing homelessness," says United Way Community Impact Director Julie DeSeyn. "And we think there's a big need. So we sponsored a program that helps veterans with bus passes to get to work."

And this week only, she says, "Up to $40,000 will be matched as part of the gift."

The funds go to agencies helping veterans.

Local Army veteran Walter Smith says he was getting requests for job interviews, but could not afford to go to them, until he got a bus pass from the Veteran's Leadership Program.

"I would never have been able to make it," he recalls. "And now I'm gainfully employed, I have a great job, and I'm able to get back and forth to work, all because of VLP."

Since he no longer needs the bus pass, he returned it, so another vet can benefit.

"To give them back is helping another veteran," he explains.

To find out more about matching funds, log on to www.myunitedwaypittsburgh.org/veterans

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