The Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL) is a national nonprofit charitable organization 501c(3) which raises about $1 million annually to fund a variety of recreational equipment and therapeutic supplies for America’s active duty, reservists and veterans who can benefit from the physical and emotional healing that sports, music and the arts can bring.

Founded in 1942, BVL is the sport of bowling’s oldest and most successful charity. More than 1,200 local bowling associations nationwide participate in the BVL fund-raising effort and coordinate local efforts at almost 5,000 bowling centers.

Thanks to the efforts of our volunteers and supporters, BVL’s reach is wide and deep:

• Through BVL, veterans recuperating in all 172 VA hospitals are provided with reading materials, arts and crafts kits or access to recreational music or sports activities to help them pass the time and, studies show, speed their recovery.
  
  
• For the many Vietnam and Desert Storm Vets affected with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, BVL supports group recreational activities such as trips to ball games, bowling outings and much more at the nation’s 206 Veterans Outreach Centers.
  
  
•  A growing number of our World War II veterans in their later years are suffering the often-lonely days of long-term care. Thanks to BVL, these forgotten heroes can enjoy billiards, cards and bingo or even spend their days fishing, bowling or gardening through programs at State Veteran Homes throughout the country.

To achieve this goal of reaching out to every veteran in need, BVL provides cash grants to VA Hospitals, Vet Centers and State Homes as well as coordinates several national programs. These programs include tours of the nationally acclaimed song and dance troupe “Re-Creation” at VA facilities across the country, traveling bowling clinics with a focus on special adaptive bowling techniques for disabled veterans, and a national VA Bowling Tournament held annually. Additionally, BVL has been a long time sponsor of the four major veterans recreation events each year – the Golden Age Games, the Winter Sports Clinic, the Creative Arts Festival and the Wheelchair Games.

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).