Community help from Guanacaste Veterans
By the A.M. Costa Rica StaffThere are any number of expatriate organizations in Costa Rica that are open to the general public or to a special section of the public. The Guanacaste Veterans Association (GVA) is one that is not just active in the country the association seems to be in overdrive.Although veteran’s associations are usually formed to provide mutual support for veterans and their families, they can also offer programs and activities that benefit all the people of the local community. The GVA does all that and more.For its members, who can come from any nation, the GVA offers medical insurance referrals and medical referral services as well as social and recreational activities for members. These things are ‘usual’ for veteran’s associations. GVA goes much further with its activities.Since the inception of the GVA, its members have reached out to the Tico community with funds provided through its monthly bingo games.Bingo is an easy fund-raiser but the work supported by this simple monthly game is amazing. Proceeds from bingo supports:-The Coco Community Project. Its goal is keeping the beach clean and safe for residents and visitors.-The Hope Fellowship, Patos and Manos and the A Club. These organizations provide backpacks and school uniforms for needy children in the Guanacaste Province.-Biblioteca Playas Del Coco. The library in Coca needed a computer for the office and GVA stepped up to fill the need.-Toys for Tots. This Marine Corp project is well-known in the U.S. but it also operates her in Costa Rica and is supported by the GVA.-The Cardio-Safe Community Project. Through a matching grant from the Costa Rica-U.S.A. Foundation, GVA was able to secure four defibrillators and place them in Playas del Coco, Hermosa, Ocotal and at the Red Cross station in Sardinal. Classes in CPR are provided throughout the year and GVA recently instructed a number of people in CPR.-Veteran’s Day, Remembrance Day (Canadian) and Memorial Day. Veteran living and dead are honored on the last Monday in May and on November 11 every year.A simple fund raiser, a huge result.For more information on how you can support or join the Guanacaste Veteran’s Association, contact Guanacaste.veterans.assoc@gmail.com
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