Liberty University employees donate gift cards to help local veterans organization meet individual needs

A group of employees at Liberty University have acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many, including veterans within the Lynchburg community who have given years of their lives to faithful service in the United States military.

For the last few years, faculty and staff across the university have contributed their own money toward a care package drive led by Liberty’s Office of Military Affairs for deployed service members overseas. This year, the employees decided that the remaining portion of their donations should go to local veterans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Military Affairs recently presented $3,500 in gift cards to the Lynchburg Area Veterans Council (LAVC) to aid veterans from the city and the surrounding communities.

“Liberty staff have given to this effort to personally make an impact and give back to these amazing men and women who serve, or have served, our country to thank them for the sacrifices they have made for our freedom,” said Emily Foutz, Military Affairs director.

LAVC is a volunteer, nonprofit local charity comprised of local veteran organization chapters including the Military Order of the Purple Heart 1607, Vietnam Veterans of America 196, American Legion Post 16, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Marine Corps League, and the Piedmont Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars. LAVC has been committed to identifying and meeting needs within the community, helping veterans find homes, and meeting financial needs.

“To the staff and faculty at Liberty, thank you so much for your willingness to reach out to needy veterans in the Lynchburg area,” said LAVC President Thomas Current,COL (R) Special Forces, U.S.A.R. “We receive requests for assistance constantly, many of which are needs for basic food and household items. Gift cards are ideal for us to help supply these needs.”

Current noted that all the support LAVC receives stays in the area and he is grateful for the continued support from Liberty.

“We are proud of our connection with Liberty University, which allowed us and supported us in the conduct of Veterans Day parades on campus in 2017 and 2018,” he said. “We have worked together with the veterans of LU Military Affairs and the cadets of the LU ROTC units on a regular basis.”

LAVC is in its sixth year and in addition to helping homeless veterans and offering financial assistance, the charity also assists with companion dog training, moving, providing furniture and household items, and referrals for counseling. Organization members also participate in memorial activities and funerals for the fallen.

In October, LAVC dedicated a veterans home in Lynchburg for previously homeless vets at the birthplace of Desmond T. Doss, a Medal of Honor recipient whose story was made famous by the movie “Hacksaw Ridge.”

Liberty has a longstanding tradition of supporting veterans, student service members, and spouses. Every November, the university hosts its annual Military Emphasis Week where students, faculty, and staff honor service members with a variety of events. Last summer, Liberty was officially recognized as the first Purple Heart University in Virginia. The university installed Purple Heart University signs at the entrances to campus and also reserved a parking space near DeMoss Hall for Purple Heart recipients and others who have been wounded in combat. Last fall, the university opened an expanded Veterans Center in the Montview Student Union.

For the last seven years, Liberty has presented the George Rogers Champion of Freedom Award, given annually to a former service member who not only exhibits courage in the line of duty, but has also proven to be an engaged member in the community. Rogers was a World War II hero and Bataan Death March survivor who spent 25 years as an administrator at Liberty. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 100.

For more information on the Office of Military Affairs, military benefits for students, or to join Liberty in providing support for service members and veterans, visit Liberty.edu/Military.