Albertson Foundation launches veterans’ initiative

The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation is launching an $2.7 million initiative to assist post 9/11 Idaho veterans.

Mission 43 will bring together the best veteran's organizations to help vets find work, maximize their presence in social media and provide community help in disasters, foundation officials say.

Gov. Butch Otter will formally announce the initiative at The ED Sessions at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Boise State University Stueckle Sky Center.

Idaho has an estimated 35,000 post 9/11 vets.

"Our Idaho veterans should be the next generation of leaders in our communities, businesses and government," said Bryan Madden, who will lead the initiative.

A veterans' initiative fits in with the foundation's mission, said Roger Quarles, foundation executive director.

"We support great leaders and ideas and projects that can transform communities,” he said.

The groups involved are: Team Red, White & Blue, Wyakin Warrior Foundation and Hire Heroes USA , and Team Rubicon.

This story was originally published March 11, 2016 at 6:10 PM with the headline "Albertson Foundation launches veterans’ initiative."