Charity Spotlight: GIVE Foundation

Bird #: 1970

Website: https://giveforveterans.com/

Location: Riverside & Des Moines, Iowa and Souix Falls, SD

Mission: To provide injured veterans a structured golf program taught by PGA professionals to improve their quality of life.

The GIVE Foundation

Their mission is a not-for-profit organization that provides a golf instructional program for eligible injured or disabled Iowa-based Veterans who use the Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux Falls VA Health Care System. The GIVE program features a five-week training curriculum that enhances an injured veteran’s and accompanying family member’s mental, social, physical and emotional well-being and improves their quality of life. 

The money raised through the Birdies for Charity program will fund the classes taught by paid PGA professionals. GIVE also provide a set of clubs, balls, tees, a polo and hat to each participant. Upon completion of the class, the graduate receives a card entitling them to free or greatly reduced golf at over 30 golf courses across Iowa. (What an amazing and well deserved perk!)

Currently, most of their funding comes from three golf outings and private donations. In the current climate, due to COVID-19, they are unsure if we’ll have 1, 2, all 3 or none. The impact of the pandemic could potentially put a great financial stress on GIVE. It costs approximately $500-$1,000 per Veteran, who also can have a guest join them for assistance. Quite often they have to buy specialized equipment for Veterans with prosthetics, blind Veterans and even lift chairs that can be used at the Riverside facility. With every class, the demand for equipment varies.

Typically, GIVE serves 300 Veterans who badly need the gift of learning and playing golf as part of their rehabilitation. There have been many wonderful stories from Veterans who have said that this program has been a true-life saver. 

The GIVE Foundation needs your support now more than ever! 

To donate to the GIVE Foundation, click the button below.