Annual Report

Transcription

1 Annual Report

2 Dear KIPVA, Members, Families & Friends, As president of this chapter I can t begin to tell you how much that I, and the Board of Directors, appreciate all of you. Kentucky - Indiana Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America 1030 Goss Avenue Louisville, KY Phone: (502) Toll Free: (800) Fax: (502) info@kipva.org Officers President Vice President Secretary Treasurer National Director Board Members Hack Albertson David Hornick Michael Murphy Program Directors Government Relations IN Government Relations KY Sports Director Membership Officer VAVS Indianapolis VAVS Lexington VAVS Louisville Kevin Sparks Hack Albertson Kelly Zilisch Tim Sells Hack Albertson Tim Sells Tom Vallandingham Kelly Zilisch George Simpson Richard Eisert Kevin Sparks Vickie Links George Simpson Tom Vallandingham Kevin Sparks Hack Albertson We try to make sure that we reach our goals every year, and this year is no different. We pride ourselves on being able to advocate for all of our veterans. Our satisfaction and reward comes from meeting our goals to look out for, and take care of our members. As we move forward into this new year, we will face many more challenges, more battles, and more resolutions. The terrific thing about this chapter, our legacy, and my Presidency, is that we do not give up, back down or quit. We will move on and we will live. We will improve our quality of life. For the second year, 90% of our expenses went to the programs defined in our mission statement and our they are again thriving. Of course, without our volunteers and the dedication that they show all through the year, we could not complete our objectives. The achievements and progress that we had made on the chapter level has vaulted us onto the national level of PVA. We have also made great strides in building relationships in our VA Hospitals, not to mention the excellent work with our National Service Officers, who nationally have delivered over $1 billion in claims for our nations veterans. I try to include in this yearly report on how important our programs are. Perhaps, if there is one program that absolutely defines this chapter it would be our hardship and health and wellness program. Nothing, and I do mean nothing is more important than this program. It is the standard that we live by. Nothing could be so important to our veterans, members, and families, so if you are out there and receiving this and you need assistance please let us know! As we move forward into this new year we will face many more challenges, more battles, more resolutions, The terrific thing about this chapter our legacy, my Presidency, is that we do not give up, back down or quit, we will move on and we will live, and we will improve our quality of life. I thank you for reading and I wish each one of you a very happy holidays, and a very healthy and happy new year thank you for reading. KIPVA Chapter President, Staff Executive Director Vickie Lincks Kevin Sparks

3 Fundraising As a non-profit organization, participation in ongoing fundraising efforts is critical to supporting our mission and programs. Our fundraising efforts included raising money through the Outreach newsletter and cultivating donations from our Car Donation Program and on our website through the Network for Good program. Research KIPVA s commitment to research on spinal cord injury and disease continues to be strong. The chapter awards grant funding to the University of Kentucky Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, the University of Louisville s Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, the Indiana University s Neurological Surgery for Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, and to the Purdue University Center for Paralysis Research Center National PVA Advocacy/Legislative Seminar 2013 National PVA Advocacy/Legislative Seminar The core focus of the chapter s government relations program is to participate in advocacy efforts aimed at improving veteran s benefits and supporting the civil rights of disabled citizens. The chapter continues to have active volunteers in Kentucky and Indiana who advocate for our members in bother the state and federal areas. KIPVA was represented at the 2013 Paralyzed Veterans of America Advocacy and Legislative Training Seminar by Hack Albertson, David Hornick and Tom Vallandingham. This seminar is held annually in Washington, D.C. to prepare PVA chapter members for conversations with federal legislators that focus on the issues and concerns of PVA members. Areas of concern continue to be the proposed changes within the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, including budget issues, and new ways to access funding sources for veterans care. Government Relations Former National Director and Board of Directors Member Richard Eisert serves as the chapter s Government Realtions Director for the State of Kentucky, and is a member of the Joint Executive Committee of Veterans Organizations (JEVCO), which monitors the state legislature. They continue their advocacy effors in Frankfort focusing on the topics of budget cuts, and the buliding of the new VA Hospital in Louisville, KY. Longtime member George Simpson, along with Chapter President, Kevin Sparks serve as the Government Relations Directors for the State of Indiana. Mr. Simpson steadfastly represents KIPVA on the Veteran s Coalition, the POW/MIA Ceremony Council, as well as working with Indiana elected officials on state sponsored bills related to veteran s benefits.

4 Hospital Liaision & Service Our chapter s hospital liason program ensures that PVA member issues are a priority within the VA Healthcare System. Chapter memers and staff attend meetings at regional VA Medical Centers (VAMC) and volunteer at Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) clinics. Indianapolis, Indiana The SCI clinic at the Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis is fully staffed and is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays for appointments. Alan Munn, PVA National Service Officer for Indiana, reports his office obtained 47new powers of attorney. Overall, the Indiana service office made 4,884 contacts of which 81% were targeted veterans. The office also helped secure over $3,292,406 in benefits for veterans of which about 93% were targeted veterans. The office served a total of 556 clients and filed 440 claims in the fiscal year Louisville & Lexington, KY The SCI clinic at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center, in Louisville, Kentucky, continues to run smoothly and is open for appointments on Tuesday and Thursday. Chapter volunteers and staff participate in quarterly SCI team meetings, and bi-monthly Director s meetings. Lexington now has a certified SCI clinic located at the Leestown VA Medical Center. Appointments are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Both the Louisville & Lexington SCI clinics have added parking areas dedicated to SCI patients on clinic days. Special parking permits are required and available from the respective clinics. Outreach and Communications Outreach and commincations is a key part of the work of KIPVA. The chapter s commincations program continues to be anchored by our monthy newsletter, the Outreach. This year s issues highlighted member experiences at PVA sponsored sporting events and recreational outings, research programs, breaking news and information from the Veteran s Administration (VA), and featured articles from staff at the regional VA Medical Centers. Social media continues to grow as a communication tool, and KIPVA s social media presence continues to grow as well. KIPVA has a presence on both Facebook and Twitter, and is actively working to create a social network of member veterans, family, friends and supporters to promote events, share experiences and reach out to our community as a whole. The chapter participates in local events in both Indiana and Kentucky to reach new members, veterans and others with disabilities to share important information on healthcare, accessibility and the benefits of KIPVA membership. Annually, the chapter sponsors a volunteer essay competition that gives student volunteers contributing time and service at the Louisville VA Medical Center an opportunity to win a $500 scholarship by expressing their thoughts on the theme Disability Does Not Mean Inability. The scholarship provides recognition to young people who take those extra steps to provide ongoing, dependable service to veterans and their families through the VA Voluntary Services. Brian Ragunan, PVA National Service Officer for Kentucky, reports his office has obtained 25 new powers of attorney. Overall, the Kentucky service office made 3,418 individual contacts of which 81% were targeted veterans. The office also helped secure $3,397,257 in benefits for veterans of which 80% were targeted veterans. The office served a total of 885 clients and filed 311 claims in the fiscal year 2013.

5 2013 National Veterans Wheelchair Games This year, KIPVA sent a six member team to the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Tampa, Florida. The team consisted of Kevin Sparks, Hack Albertson, Michael McLauglin, David Hornick and first time participants Richard Eisert and Kelly Zilisch. The team brought back several medals in multiple events, including; air rifle, hand cycling, trap shooting, and table tennis. Sports & Recreation KIPVA maintains an active sports and recreation program. Throughout the year, the Kentucky-Indiana Chapter hosts many sports and recreation events for members to experience new sports and enjoy favorite ones. In 2013, the chapter hosted weekend trap and target shoots, a trip to Churchill Downs, and continued the annual drawing for Indianapolis Colts tickets to give members an opportuntiy to experience an NFL game with a friend or family member. The chapter invested in adaptive fishing and shooting equipment for use by members. The equipment will be used in introductory clinics, chapter events and for members to borrow to enjoy these sports with friends and family. The second annual PVA Bluegrass Bash Bass Tournament was held May 3rd - 5th at Kentucky Lake in Gilbertsville, KY. The Bass Tournament is open to anyone with mobility impairment, with a bank fishing division as well as a boating division. Many KIPVA members joined the National Wild Turkey Federation, Bernheim Chapter of Wheelin Sportsmen for adaptive deer, turkey and dove hunts. KIPVA is working to expand our sports and recreation program to offer a larger variety of sports and recreation opportunites at all levels of ability.

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8 Kentucky - Indiana Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America 1030 Goss Avenue Louisville, KY Non Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Louisville, KY Permit No. 4 ANNUAL REPORT