- Disabled Veterans National Foundation
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The Disabled Veterans National Foundation is a national foundation dedicated to serving those who have served the United States. While focusing on disabled, homeless, and women Veterans, the organization works daily to provide resources and services to those who have come home to find themselves in need.
Founded in 2007, the organization is housed in Washington D.C. Funded by donors, the organization provides assistance to shelters, partner organizations, and directly to Veterans who apply for grants.[1] Since its inception, DVNF has helped approximately 80,000 veterans. It is also one of the fatest growing veterans organizations, with over 1 million donors.
Contents
History
Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) is a non-profit organization founded in 2007 by six women veterans and State Women Veterans Coordinators. Previous to starting DVNF, these six women spent over twenty years addressing other women veteran's issues. Due to conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, resources at the Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals were strained and they were struggling to assist many veterans in need. These women came together to start DVNF to help returning wounded and disabled veterans receive the help and assistance they need and deserve. The original six women who started DVNF are Delilah A. Washburn, Precilla Landry Wilkewitz, Valerie Conley, Pamela Luce, Bertha Cruz Hall and Lynda Waldroop.[2]
Board Members
DVNF Executive Board Members are dedicated veteran advocates that are nationally recognized for their more than 35 years of dedicated service to others including both military and civil service. The Board Members are all volunteers, and take no salary or benefits of any type. Our commitment to serve those who served for us and our freedoms are what motivates us to fulfill what we believe is a patriotic obligation.[3]
In April, 2010, Precilla Wilkewitz, a Vietnam War veteran who served from 1966-69, was named President of the veterans group. She replaced DVNF co-founder Delilah Washburn who passed away in April 2010. Wilkewitz is also the State Quarter Master Adjutant for the Louisiana Veterans of Foreign Wars. In 2005, Wilkewitz was reappointed by Louisiana Governor Kathleen B. Blanco to serve on the Louisiana Veterans Affairs Commission for a six-year term, ending in 2011. Under the direction of Governor Bobby Jindal, she helped them orchestrate the first Annual Women Veterans Forum to educate women veterans about VA entitlements.
References
- ^ Raegan Rivers, "Official Web site", ("http://www.dvnf.org"), Retrieved 03/11/2011
- ^ Raegan Rivers, "Official Web site History", ("http://www.dvnf.org/about_us.php?category=1&article=13")
- ^ "Mission". DVNF About US. http://www.dvnf.org/about_us.php?category=1&article=13.
External links
- http://www.dvnf.org
- http://twitter.com/#!/DVNF
- http://www.facebook.com/The.DVNF
- http://www.marketwatch.com/story/disabled-veterans-national-foundation-provides-support-for-veterans-empowering-veterans-in-north-carolina-2011-10-12
- http://www.bradenton.com/2011/09/28/3532443/disabled-veterans-national-foundation.html
Categories:- Organizations established in 2007
- Organizations based in Washington, D.C.
- American veterans' organizations
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