On September 20, 2017, Joe Walsh welcomed Zac Brown Band, Gary Clark, Jr. and Keith Urban for his inaugural VetsAid festival in the EagleBank Arena at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA to an audience of more than 7,000 fans, vets, active duty military and families. It was a night to remember and more than $360,000 was given away to our charity partners!
With thanks to our partners at the National Association of Veteran Serving Organizations (NAVSO), VetsAid screens large veterans' charities as well as smaller groups across the United States and gives out grants respectively. It's important to Joe that VetsAid recognizes the good works being done by established national charities as well as those by local and regional groups where a little can go a long way.
In 2017, VetsAid gave out grants to the following charity partners:
Operation Mend - Operation Mend provides advanced surgical and medical treatment, as well as comprehensive psychological-health support for post-9/11-era service members, veterans and their families at no cost.
Hire Heroes USA - Hire Heroes USA empowers U.S. military members, veterans and military spouses to succeed in the civilian workforce.
Warrior Canine Connection - Warrior Canine Connection enlists recovering Warriors in a therapeutic mission of learning to train service dogs for their fellow Veterans.
Tragedy Assistance Programs for Survivors (T.A.P.S.) - The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) offers compassionate care to all those grieving the loss of a loved one who died while serving in our Armed Forces or as a result of his or her service.
Semper Fi Fund - Semper Fi Fund is dedicated to providing urgently needed resources and support for post 9/11 combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.
Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation - The Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation's mission is to provide college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.
Stop Soldier Suicide - Stop Soldier Suicide works 1-on-1 with troops, veterans, and military family members to help navigate the maze of services, programs, and assistance available.
Swords to Plowshares - Founded in 1974 by veterans, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides needs assessment and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance to approximately 3,000 veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area each year.
Equinox Ranch - Equinox Ranch is a retreat center designed to provide veterans with the space and resources to heal from the traumas experienced during combat.
Right Turn for Yuma Vets - Right Turn for Yuma Veterans (RTYV) is a long-term transitional housing program for homeless veterans within Child and Family Services of Yuma, AZ.
Semper K9 Assistance Dogs - Combat veteran founded and operated, Semper K9’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for wounded, critically ill and injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families by providing them assistance dogs.
Project Horse Empowerment Center - Project Horse connects veterans in need of renewed hope and confidence with rehabilitated rescue horses, through innovative experiential learning and therapy programs.
Center for American Military Music Opportunities (CAMMO) - CAMMO creates music-based therapeutic programming for veterans as well as trains and educates service members, veterans and their families in music career opportunities and artist development.
Work Vessels for Vets - Work Vessels for Vets matches donations of vessels, vehicles, equipment, tools and electronics to veterans of Iraq or Afghanistan as they start a business or pursue career education.
Arkansas Run for the Fallen - The mission of Arkansas Run for the Fallen is to raise awareness for the native Arkansas military service members who have died while serving on active duty since September 11, 2001.
Suiting Warriors - Suiting Warriors (SW) provides transitioning assistance to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, Veterans, their spouses, Guard and Reserve by providing them with upscale professional attire needed to compete in the civilian workforce.