Glen lakes Veterans and Friends Association
Our Mission
Our association currently has over 150 members. Many are veterans, but all support our mission statement...
To honor and provide assistance to veterans whose service for our nation has protected the freedoms we love and cherish. To do so by never forgetting those oft-spoken phrases...
To honor and provide assistance to veterans whose service for our nation has protected the freedoms we love and cherish. To do so by never forgetting those oft-spoken phrases...
- "All gave some and some gave all."
- "They were there when we needed them."
- "Now, we must be there when they or their families need us."
About GLVFA
We hold monthly meetings at the GlenLakes Country Club, located in North Weeki Wachee, Florida, with a variety of topics relevant to veterans and their families, including VA benefits, VA healthcare, local healthcare, veteran services, identity theft, and local politics affecting veterans, opioid addiction, honor flights, etc. There are no dues or fees to participate with complimentary coffee and donuts at each meeting.
The group has numerous rest and recuperation (R&R) dinner meetings to improve camaraderie and shared experiences. We also routinely support local veteran organizations' activities as well as annual "Wreaths Across America" at the Florida National Cemetery located in Bushnell, Florida.
Our main fund-raising activity is an annual Veterans Day Golf Tournament, Luncheon, Raffles, and Auctions. Participation has shown great increases each year. Our 2022 tournament raised over $50,000 with over $250,000 since GLVFA began in 2016. Click here for more details!
The group has numerous rest and recuperation (R&R) dinner meetings to improve camaraderie and shared experiences. We also routinely support local veteran organizations' activities as well as annual "Wreaths Across America" at the Florida National Cemetery located in Bushnell, Florida.
Our main fund-raising activity is an annual Veterans Day Golf Tournament, Luncheon, Raffles, and Auctions. Participation has shown great increases each year. Our 2022 tournament raised over $50,000 with over $250,000 since GLVFA began in 2016. Click here for more details!
GLVFA Founders
Left to Right: George Friel, Denny Blum and Ron Ford
Awards and Grants
We have just recently awarded 2022 grants to five local veteran groups and a local Jr. ROTC unit. For 2021 grants, see grantee list below and also please click here to read Hernando Sun's February 2021 article with the details. An article regarding the 2022 grants is forthcoming but not yet published.
2022 Grants
Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Home awarded $5400 to be used for veteran shadowboxes to showcase their service medals and awards.
Polish League of American Veterans awarded $1000 to help support their honor guard's needs for uniforms.
American Legion Post 186 awarded $1500 for general use for activities such as their honor guard.
VFW Post 10209 granted $2000 for their general use to aid in supporting their veteran membership.
F.W. Springstead High School Jr. ROTC granted $1000 to support their military training needs.
DAV Post 67 granted $2000 to support their veteran membership.
2022 Grants
Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Home awarded $5400 to be used for veteran shadowboxes to showcase their service medals and awards.
Polish League of American Veterans awarded $1000 to help support their honor guard's needs for uniforms.
American Legion Post 186 awarded $1500 for general use for activities such as their honor guard.
VFW Post 10209 granted $2000 for their general use to aid in supporting their veteran membership.
F.W. Springstead High School Jr. ROTC granted $1000 to support their military training needs.
DAV Post 67 granted $2000 to support their veteran membership.
Photos above are from out annual R&R event hosted at the GlenLakes Country Club, Jan 21, 2023 where grants were given to our 2022 recipients, as shown in the pictures.
2021 Grants
DAV Chapter 67 in Spring Hill awarded $6000 for utilities, a/c maintenance, and 2 service officer computers.
American Legion Post 186 Brooksville granted $7000 for new honor guard uniforms & weapons as well as laptops & printers for service officers.
VFW Post 10209 in Spring Hill granted $7500 for honor guard expenses, 100 meeting hall chairs, a new Commander's computer, and memorial area renovation.
Veterans Nursing Home in Land O'Lakes granted $4400 for chairs and tables.
Polish Legion Post #196 awarded $4000 to upgrade honor guard uniforms.
DAV Chapter 67 in Spring Hill awarded $6000 for utilities, a/c maintenance, and 2 service officer computers.
American Legion Post 186 Brooksville granted $7000 for new honor guard uniforms & weapons as well as laptops & printers for service officers.
VFW Post 10209 in Spring Hill granted $7500 for honor guard expenses, 100 meeting hall chairs, a new Commander's computer, and memorial area renovation.
Veterans Nursing Home in Land O'Lakes granted $4400 for chairs and tables.
Polish Legion Post #196 awarded $4000 to upgrade honor guard uniforms.
