Honor our Service Members

The Lynchburg Area Veterans Council became a 501c3 on July 15, 2015.  The Council provides services and resources for the City of Lynchburg, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell counties. We are composed of: veteran organizations, veterans, private individuals, various nonprofit agencies, and businesses that support the needs of local area veterans. We have facilitated a centralized forum within our area to disseminate veteran information amongst veteran organizations, and support veteran activities for the common good and welfare of our local veterans. Our Council believes that every service member, veteran, and their family members should know and understand the benefits to which they are entitled.

Mission

The LAVC mission is to promote the common goals and objectives of veteran groups, to provide assistance to veterans and dependents in need within our covered geographic area, and to build close ties within the community while working together to meet veteran needs.

Purpose

The sole purpose of our program is to support our area veterans, so classically stated by President Lincoln, “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.”  As more veterans return to our communities, we desire to increase the outreach to our existing veterans and our returning veterans as needed to their needs, now and in the future.   Lastly, the LAVC desires to foster relationships with the community and veteran groups for the common good of our community.  The LAVC carries out its duties by a total volunteer staff and board, where no one is paid for any service.

Goals

Works to resolve veteran issues at the local level and improves VA (Veteran Affairs) service delivery for veterans, Military members, and their families. Provides resources to veterans and their families by mobilizing local services, stakeholders, and federal/state agencies to improve their quality of life. Conducts fundraising activities through active planning and organizing of public, private, and corporate sectors. Collaborates with veteran groups, advocates of veterans, service providers, and stakeholders to identify their common community goals.

Our five-year goals:

*Benevolence activities and outreach (Spent ~40k in 2017), anticipate $40k per year for the next 5 years ($160, 000)

*Purchase handicap van for wheel-chair bound veterans in order to make their doctors appointments ($75,000)

*Meet veteran psychological needs related to PTSD. A Veterans Administration report indicated that we lose 22 veterans a day to suicide.  We plan to assist and support our local ReBoot programs, and community institutions ($10k per year for the next five years $50k)

*Honor older veterans with memorial activities and engage younger veterans with scholarship opportunities (Establish a 100k fund within the next 5 years).

*Start a veteran run Urban Farm, that has educational ties to the local universities, provides jobs for veterans, provided PTSD therapy, and engages the community. Develop an Aquaponics feasibility study/design/program at an estimated cost of $150k with matching grants from two of our local universities in five years ($450k).

Community Impacts

Public speaking engagements to bring awareness of veteran organizations and needs.

Active campaigning on veteran issues through TV and radio engagements, website and social media development.

Community collaboration and fundraising for veteran causes.

Mission development of Veteran issues and long-term planning of organizational resources.

Development of veteran educational scholarships and memorial activities.

Come and Join Us

The LAVC holds monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of every month at the American Legion located on Greenview Drive.  Our meetings start at 1000 am and end at 1130 am.  All board meetings are open to the public, and the public is encouraged to attend!   The LAVC desires to foster relationships with the community and veteran groups for the common good of our community.  Join us as we discuss veteran activities/issues in our community!