About BVL: the Bowlers to Veterans Link

On this page, BVL's:

Donor's Bill of Rights
Board of Directors
Facts
History

Quick Links:

BVL Donor's Bill of Rights

To be informed of the BVL mission and of the intended use of the organization’s donations.

To receive appropriate and timely recognition of any and all donations.

To have access to the identity of the governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.

To expect prompt and forthright responses to questions regarding donations.

To have access to information regarding specific donations made by BVL.

To have access to the BVL financial statements.

To know that all contributions will be applied appropriately and utilized to their fullest extent

To know that BVL continuously seeks to provide the best possible programming and services for our nation’s active duty and veteran service men and women.

To know that BVL maintains close relationships with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Association of State Veterans Homes, as well as a host of other veterans service organizations to insure that the continuing care of our nation’s veterans remains paramount.

To know that BVL has one of the lowest overhead percentages of any charitable organization and that we are committed to maintain that cost efficiency.

BVL Board of Directors

Biographies in .doc format, 24-28 KB download

Darlene Baker | Wally Hall | Gary Anderson | Elaine Hagin

BVL FAQS

The Bowlers to Veterans Link is a national nonprofit charity (501(c)3) which supports America's veteran and active duty service men and women

BVL is the sport of bowling's oldest charity

BVL is the sport's most successful charity -- raising more than $35 million dollars for America's active duty servicemen and women and veterans

BVL is America's only national sports organization specifically devoted to veterans

The BVL Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), and the Bowling Proprietor's Association of America (BPAA).

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BVL Programs

BVL grants provide arts and crafts programs, music and sports activities, reading materials, board games and much more to help boost their spirits, speed recuperation, and improve morale

BVL supports veterans recuperating in:

155 VA Medical Centers

209 Vet Centers

133 State Veterans Homes

Along with the VA, BVL operates one of the longest running mail in bowling tournaments for veterans - now in its 64th year

The BVL is a long time sponsor of the four national veterans recreational events - the Winter Sports Clinic, the Golden Age Games, the Wheelchair Games and the Creative Arts Festival

BVL sponsors the tours of the entertainment troupe "Re-Creation‚" which performs at VA Hospitals and State Veterans Homes around the country

BVL supports an on-line tribute campaign to those who have served our country through "Operation: Honor Force"

BVL responds to veterans in need - recuperating veterans, veterans suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and aging veterans - giving them an outlet for the joy, freedom, and friendship that recreation and sport can bring

BVL History

The BVL was founded in 1942 by a group of caring and concerned bowlers who promised "We will not forget about the sacrifices made by America's service men and women."

BVL's first campaign during WWII raised money to purchase medical evacuation planes to ferry the wounded home from the battle fields of Europe

BVL supported the dependents of those killed during Operation Desert Storm with academic scholarships for college

BVL has shipped more than 550 portable carpet bowling lane kits to active duty troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and a host of other locales including to the USS Enterprise and USS Ronald Reagan

The BVL Network

America's bowlers currently raise about $1 million annually through bowling tournaments, raffles, and special events

There are local BVL programs in more than 1,200 communities throughout the U.S.

BVL local volunteers not only raise money for America's veterans but also spend countless hours volunteering their time at veterans' facilities - organizing games and events, reading, coordinating bowling programs and much more

BVL Membership and Awards

BVL is a member of the National Veterans Day Organizing Committee and the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee and part of the "America Supports You" network coordinated by the Pentagon

BVL is the winner of the Department of Veterans Affairs "Award for Excellence"

BVL representatives have won the "Secretary's Award" - the highest honor from the VA

>BVL is the recipient of the International Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum's "20th Century Award," touted as a "major industry success"

BVL won the 2007 Bowling Writers of America "John O. Martino Award" for "Outstanding Contributions to Bowling"

BVL leaders have met with a range of world leaders from Presidents Truman to Bush to discuss our support for America's fighting men and women

BVL is recognized throughout the world as a leader in veterans' services

Measured against most other charities, the BVL prides itself on one of the lowest overhead percentages - maintaining our commitment to insure that America's veterans are the recipients of the most funds possible.

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What is the Bowlers to Veterans Link?
A History

It's not what. . . it's who. . . Bowlers throughout America have collected funds and given their time for the nation's wounded and disabled veterans for more than 66 years. Indeed, the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL) plays a vital role in the VA Medical Center community, comprised of 173 Department of Veteran's Affairs Medical Centers and 206 Vets Centers, as well as State Veterans Homes throughout the country.

The BVL, founded as the Bowlers Victory Legion, was formed on September 26, 1942 in the midst of World War II when the men and women bowlers of America sought to make life more bearable for the service personnel overseas.

The first BVL effort was made by the members of the American Bowling Congress (ABC) and the Women's International Bowling Congress (WIBC) who raised almost $700,000 through individual contributions. These funds were used to purchase recreational equipment, including 400,000 decks of playing cards, 352,000 pocket-size books, 75,000 deep sea fishing kits and a variety of sports equipment for veterans recovering overseas or in the medical centers throughout the country. In addition, three C47 medical evacuation planes and several ambulances for the military were purchased with BVL funds under the WIBC's "Wings of Mercy" project.
BVL raised monies through individual contributions and special tournaments, benefit parties, celebrity tournaments, and raffles.
However, the purposes for such funds changed as hostilities drew to a close in 1945. Part of the money raised by bowlers went toward the rehabilitation of hospitalized veterans and the amount gradually increased until the entire effort was directed to this cause. In 1946, the BVL officially began its new mission to care for those wounded and disabled soldiers coming home to a new way of life.

An early Bowlers Victory Legion newsletter,
featuring a letter from General Douglas MacArthur
(click on image for larger view)

Although the change in focus came shortly after W.W.II, the name of the organization stayed the same until 1972 when the Bowlers Victory Legion became simply, The BVL Fund.

BVL holds the distinction of being the only national sports organization specifically devoted to providing therapeutic and recreational therapy for our veterans. These "extras" are essential to the social and psychological rehabilitation of these men and women.

In 1997, BVL again changed its name to the Bowlers to Veterans Link, which more appropriately describes our bowlers close association with veterans across the country. Today, BVL's contributions not only serve our hospitalized veterans, but out-patient veterans and other veterans in need.

Since BVL's inception, over $35 million has been raised by the thousands of participating bowling associations to provide such things as sports publications, televisions, arts and crafts materials and recreation equipment for veterans. Assistance is also provided in the form of direct grants for activities not fully anticipated by federal budgets. Naturally, BVL supports VAMC bowling programs nationwide and helps maintain bowling lanes and equipment at 40 VAMCs across the nation. Also, BVL sponsors the nationally recognized entertainment troupe "Re-Creation" which visits hundreds of hospitals every year, and celebrity bowlers who provide bowling clinics to introduce new methods of bowling for the physically challenged.

BVL also supports such national events as The Golden Age Games for hospitalized veterans over 55, The Wheelchair Games, The Winter Sports Clinic, and the Veterans Creative Arts Festival.

Not portrayed in financial statistics, however, are the countless hours individuals contribute toward various programs at local VAMCs. One example of this is the Annual BVL Mail-In Bowling Tournament held every spring. Leaders of many local USBC associations (formerly WIBC and ABC associations) assist hospital personnel with this event for which BVL provides coordination and both team and individual awards.

As the BVL moves through its 66th year of serving America's veterans, no lull can be detected in the energy, time and money provided by thousands of men and women bowlers. Judging by the past 65 years, BVL will only grow stronger in its commitment to brighten the lives of our hospitalized veterans.