The California Chapter has always provided financial assistance to members to get out and explore Recreational Therapy opportunities. Whether helping members to attend one of the VA’s annual programs such as the National Veteran’s Wheelchair Games (NVWG) or the National Disabled Veteran’s Winter Sports Clinic (NDVWSC) etc, or something more in tune with an individuals passion such as a Table Tennis Tournament in Texas or SCUBA diving in the Florida Keys. We also provided for recreational activities such as tickets for professional sports, concert, and movies or theater as well.
The Chapter has been doing this for years. Unfortunately, many members were not aware of this form of financial assistance.
Hopefully we are more open with our new policy. Our goal is to get members our doing things that may have never taken advantage of the hundreds of opportunities available to them due to financial constraint.
Our goal is simple… We want to put a smile on your face.
What puts a smile on your face? And how can we help you do that? Do you want to go Sky Diving or Race Car Driving? We can help, and have already sent members to do those things. Something slower like Sailing, fishing, computing, or Tai Chi? We got you covered! Traditional sports? Basketball, skiing, rugby, powerchair soccer, sled hockey…. The list goes on. Let us know what your passion is and we will help find an organization to get you involved with it. Just last month a member mentioned how much he missed playing hockey. Within 72 hours of his mentioning it to the chapter, the chapter reached out to the LA Kings Sled Hockey team and the Coach was on the phone with the member scheduling him for his first visit and practice. We can’t promise every conversation will have that fast of a response. But it sure would be nice if we could!
Maybe you want to go see a play, or a movie, or a sports game and see how accessible the venue is. Let us know and you can use your grant to do that as well.
Simply put, as a chapter member, you are eligible for up to $2000/year in possible recreational grants. All we ask is that you fill out a simple form in advance and submit it 45 days in advance, and submit your receipts within 30 days of attending the event. Then be active in the chapter: Take some pictures and share them with us so we can show the rest of the chapter what fun things our members are doing with their grants. Stop in the office and say “Hi.” Not sure what game or show you want to see 2 months from now? Who does? Simply submit a request to go to “A Pro Game” or “a Concert” on the form then do your planning later
Not sure if your passion qualifies for a grant? Give us a call and lets find out together! We want you out and enjoying life to the fullest.
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