Vietnam Veterans of America

Pinellas County Chapter 522

“Five Double Deuce”

“Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”


Welcome Home

Chapter 522 has a long history of participation in, and member support for, programs that strengthen and enhance our community. These activities are quite diverse. We operate on many different levels, and each activity requires a unique combination of financial resources and manpower. The best way to summarize our chapter’s role in community service activities is by looking at two specific areas - financial support and volunteer/sweat-equity support. Below are some of the important activities for each category.

Financial Support: In the last year Chapter 522 has made several important donations or gifts that we feel enhance our local community. Among them are:

1. Two $1,000 scholarships to deserving seniors who graduated from high schools in Pinellas County and who subsequently enrolled in college degree-oriented programs.

2. Donation to Make-A-Difference to further their programs that support children with special needs.

3. Chapter 522, in partnership with VFW Post 4256, have been providing lunches to veterans from Bay Pines VA Medical Center each month through the Grouper Tuesday program. This program continues to be extremely popular with the veterans.

Volunteer/Sweat-Equity Support: Our members have contributed a great deal of their personal time to improve our community. Some of the notable efforts include:

1. Members have volunteered their time to support the Make-A-Difference Fishing Tournaments held in Clearwater and Largo each year for children with special needs.

2. Several members have volunteered their time at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center, doing a variety of tasks that assist the medical staff.

3. Members of Chapter 522 have volunteered their time in support of Sailability in Clearwater. This program provides the opportunity for handicap people to be the captain of their own sailboat, thus experiencing the thrill of boating.

4. Members have volunteered their time (with financial support for materials from Chapter 522) to make home improvements for handicap persons. Some of these efforts are to assist the handicap veterans who are members of Chapter 522.

Community Service Activities