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Thanks to a donation from Southwest Florida-based bowling center chains Bowland and HeadPinz Centers to the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL), the Lake Baldwin VA Domiciliary (OPC) has a new opportunity to help integrate 200-400 veterans back into the community. With their medical care in check, the facility is charged in part with giving the veterans the skills that they need to successfully transition to community life. Living in an area dotted with lakes, the clinic’s Recreation Therapist Michael Weaver saw an option: Provide training in a team activity such as rowing so that the veterans could improve their cardiovascular health and upper body strength as well as emotional wellbeing. This could be accomplished by purchasing three rowing machines that would give the veterans the needed opportunity to train at the domiciliary, and after discharge, join a community rowing club. Weaver reached out to a national charity specifically devoted to providing recreational and therapeutic programs and services for veterans receiving care at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility -- BVL. Founded in 1942 by the bowling industry, the charity raises approximately one million dollars annually to provide recreation grants at VA hospitals and clinics throughout the country. “This BVL grant was just the thing to move our plan from a ‘plan’ to ‘reality’,” notes Weaver. “We have used BVL grants in the past and they’ve provided us with great options to get our veterans healthy in body and spirit.” “We contacted BVL and they told us that the Bowland and HeadPinz Bowling Center chain recently conducted a BVL fundraiser, so we were able to get three rowing machines on site in short order. Our staff is now working with the veterans to build their skills. This will have an almost immediate impact on our veterans,” adds Weaver. In fact, Weaver explains, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games will be in Orlando this month for veterans to test their rowing skills.” “Our management, staff and customers at Bowland and Headpinz have illustrated that we are 100% dedicated to the BVL cause. We all want to be there for our veterans who have given so much –we love giving back!” said President Pat Ciniello. “We’re here for the long haul and look forward to future partnerships with BVL and the VA." About BVL: BVL is a national 501 (c) (3) charity which is consistently acknowledged for efficient and effective programming delivered with extremely low overhead. BVL has been recognized as one of “America’s Best Charities,” earned a “Top Rated” Nonprofit distinction, and accepted into the Combined Federal Campaign (#93325). For more information, visit www.BowlforVeterans.org.
Thanks to a donation from Southwest Florida-based bowling center chains Bowland and HeadPinz Centers to the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL), the Lake Baldwin VA Domiciliary (OPC) has a new opportunity to help integrate 200-400 veterans back into the community. With their medical care in check, the facility is charged in part with giving the veterans the skills that they need to successfully transition to community life. Living in an area dotted with lakes, the clinic’s Recreation Therapist Michael Weaver saw an option: Provide training in a team activity such as rowing so that the veterans could improve their cardiovascular health and upper body strength as well as emotional wellbeing. This could be accomplished by purchasing three rowing machines that would give the veterans the needed opportunity to train at the domiciliary, and after discharge, join a community rowing club. Weaver reached out to a national charity specifically devoted to providing recreational and therapeutic programs and services for veterans receiving care at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility -- BVL. Founded in 1942 by the bowling industry, the charity raises approximately one million dollars annually to provide recreation grants at VA hospitals and clinics throughout the country. “This BVL grant was just the thing to move our plan from a ‘plan’ to ‘reality’,” notes Weaver. “We have used BVL grants in the past and they’ve provided us with great options to get our veterans healthy in body and spirit.” “We contacted BVL and they told us that the Bowland and HeadPinz Bowling Center chain recently conducted a BVL fundraiser, so we were able to get three rowing machines on site in short order. Our staff is now working with the veterans to build their skills. This will have an almost immediate impact on our veterans,” adds Weaver. In fact, Weaver explains, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games will be in Orlando this month for veterans to test their rowing skills.” “Our management, staff and customers at Bowland and Headpinz have illustrated that we are 100% dedicated to the BVL cause. We all want to be there for our veterans who have given so much –we love giving back!” said President Pat Ciniello. “We’re here for the long haul and look forward to future partnerships with BVL and the VA."
About BVL: BVL is a national 501 (c) (3) charity which is consistently acknowledged for efficient and effective programming delivered with extremely low overhead. BVL has been recognized as one of “America’s Best Charities,” earned a “Top Rated” Nonprofit distinction, and accepted into the Combined Federal Campaign (#93325). For more information, visit www.BowlforVeterans.org.