History

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.

Letter to BVL Newsletter from Gen. MacArthur - 1948

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. 

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 and Summer Sports Clinics, the Training Exposure Experience Tournament 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 assist hospital personnel with this event for which BVL provides coordination and both team and individual awards.

As the BVL moves into its 69th 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 68 years, BVL will only grow stronger in its commitment to brighten the lives of our hospitalized veterans.