IAVA’s signature VetTogethers engaged 11,000 veterans in 2015

NEW YORK (February 5, 2016) – As veterans get together around the country to celebrate Super Bowl 50, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to supporting post-9/11 veterans and their families, announced today that a record 670 VetTogethers were held in 2015 — up from 306 in 2014. VetTogethers are community-driven events that focus on (re)building camaraderie among veterans in local communities across the nation.

“The significant increase in VetTogethers speaks to the need for IAVA to continue our mission to connect, unite and empower post-9/11 veterans,” said IAVA Chief Program Officer Anthony Pike. “IAVA’s members want to be involved with IAVA in their community. VetTogethers are a perfect opportunity for members to do so. Last year, more than 11,000 members joined IAVA at one of our 670 VetTogethers across the country. This increased engagement and leadership clearly illustrates how our community of veterans are rising to become leaders.”

VetTogethers were created to ensure that connections are forged whether a veteran transitioning home is in need of assistance or is simply looking for the same support they had in the military. With only one percent of the population having served in the military, VetTogethers provide a critical resource for veterans to connect, unite and empower.

In 2015, VetTogethers took place in every state and involved a range of activities to include: film screenings, sporting events, fundraisers, rock climbing, fishing trips and many more. VetTogethers are lead by one or more of IAVA’s 425,000-plus members who are also IAVA’s web-based community. During Veterans Week 2015, IAVA members hosted a record 145 VetTogethers.

VetTogethers are supported in part by the generous contributions of the Goldhirsh Foundation’s LA2050 initiative, the New York State Health Foundation, the Resnick Foundation, and The Schultz Family Foundation.

Upcoming VetTogethers include events in Clarksville, Tenn. (Feb. 6), Anchorage, Alaska (Feb. 6), Denver (Feb. 7), Arlington, Va. (Feb. 7), Phoenix (Feb. 10), Chicago (Feb. 11) and many other cities across the country. For a full list of VetTogethers visit iava.org/vettogether.