The Veterans of Foreign Wars of Ohio Charities was established in 2003 as a way for our VFW locations to have charity funds to assist needy veterans in their respective communities.  In 2003 the Ohio legislators amended Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2915 to allow veteran, fraternal, and sporting organizations to conduct instant bingo.  Organizations would be required to obtain a license annually from the Ohio Attorney General reporting charitable income for the prior year.  License fees are based on income from charitable gaming.  Fees range from $500 and up.  Organizations are required to donate at least 25% to a contracted 501(c)3 charity.  Knowing that our posts would not have charitable dollars to carry on their charity work in their respective communities, as they had for the past 100 plus years, the VFW of Ohio Charities was formed and it allowed the VFWOC to set up charity bank accounts at each post (agent).  This permitted the post to do charity work in their respective communities.

 

The best year for VFWOC fund raising was nearly 8 million dollars.  Today with casinos, racinos and illegal store fronts around the state of Ohio charity funds has been reduced to about 5 million dollars.  VFWOC operates at about 10% administrative cost.  VFWOC continues to assist needy veterans and their families around the state.  We also assist food banks, schools, scouts, youth projects, community projects, homeless programs.  Our main goal is to assist those military men and women returning from war and their families.

 

VFWOC joins other organizations supporting homeless stand downs around the state by supplying sleeping bags, shoes, blankets, clothing, etc.  VFWOC is also partnering with the VA Medical Centers to provide rent and utilities for homeless veterans who are trying to work themselves back into society.

 

To make donations to the VFW of Ohio Charities, a 501(c)3 charity, please send checks to:

VFW of Ohio Charities, 35 E Chestnut St ,Suite 505, Columbus, Ohio  43215