The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the award of $8 million in grants to nonprofit organizations to provide adaptive sports opportunities for disabled veterans and service members. The grants will be distributed to 69 national, regional, and community programs serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. National organizations were awarded $4,204,313.98, regional partners were awarded $2,283,433.66, and community groups were awarded $1,512,252.36. About 10,000 veterans and service members are expected to benefit from the grants.
The program provides grants to eligible entities to plan, develop, manage, and implement programs to provide adaptive sports activities. Funding may be used for training, program development, recreation therapists, coaches, sports equipment, supplies, program evaluation, and other activities related to program implementation and operation.
“Partnering with national, regional, and community-based nonprofit organizations allows VA to provide rehabilitative adaptive sports opportunities to our disabled veterans and service members all across the country,” VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald said of the grants. “Disabled veterans who participate in adaptive sports improve their health and quality of life, make new friendships, and discover that physical rehabilitation healing comes in many forms and can also be great fun.”
