For the five years since its inception, Glen Lakes Veterans and Friends (GLVF) has donated more than $250,000 to American Legions, Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and other organizations in Hernando and Citrus counties that serve the needs of service personnel. Each year, after their annual golf outing, they hold a reception at Glen Lakes Country Club to recognize businesses and individuals who have made the event a success. They also present checks to the beneficiaries of that year’s fundraiser.
Among the individuals that GLVH recognized at the 2021 reception in December was State Representative Blaise Ingoglia who donated $2,500. The following made contributions of $1,000 or more so far this year: the Dufrane family, the Ford family, the Taylor family, and the Yooper family.
This year Glen Lakes Veterans and Friends awarded five grants. In order to be considered for a grant, the organization must submit a grant application and be vetted by the GLVF Board of Directors.
VFW Post 10209 received a grant for $7,000. This will go toward Honor Guard expenses, 100 chairs for their meeting hall, a computer, and renovations to their memorial area.
American Legion Post 186 was awarded a $7,000 grant. These funds will be used for new Honor Guard uniforms and weapons, as well as a laptop, and printer for their veterans service officer.
The Polish American Legion Post 196 received $4,000. This money will be used to upgrade their Honor Guard uniforms.
The DAV was awarded $6,000 for utilities, air conditioning maintenance and two service officer computers. Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land o’ Lakes received a grant of $4,400 for tables and chairs. This 120-bed facility provides skilled nursing care for sixty residents and can even accommodate patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
It’s not widely-known that the VFW, American Legion and other veterans’ organizations do not receive any federal funds. They rely solely on dues from their members to keep their posts running. With membership in some of these dwindling and funds drying up, they would not be able to keep their doors open without contributions from non-profit organizations Like Glen Lakes Veterans and Friends.
Besides their annual golf tournament, GLVF is having a raffle at Glory Days Restaurant for a new YETI cooler donated by the Lowman Law Firm. The cooler is filled with more than $1500 worth of goodies, including a four-person pass to play golf at Glen Lakes Country Club, scratch-off lottery tickets, Weeki Wachee Car Wash gift certificates, and a “humongous assortment of booze.” Tickets for the drawing, which will take place on March 20th can be purchased from any GLVF member or in the lobby of Glory Days.
GLVF is also promoting Operation $100. This is a fund-raising drive to encourage businesses and individuals to donate a minimum of $100. Those who do so will have their names posted on the GLVF website.
Glen Lakes Veterans and Friends believes in giving back to those who give. Any business that contributes a substantial amount of money will get their name and company logo on their website. They will also receive a sticker to put in their store or office window stating that they are a “veteran-friendly” business. GLVF urges all their members and donors to support these businesses.
As Ron Ford, treasurer of GLVF, states, “It is an honor to give back to the fraternity called U.S. Veterans. The need is so great, but helping even one veteran is better than standing on the side lines and doing nothing.”
For more information on Glen Lakes Veterans and Friends and to contribute go to www.glenlakesvets.org. You can also find out more by contacting Ron Ford at 906-291-0587 or any of the other board members listed on their website.
