DAV devotes its efforts exclusively to issues involving benefits and services for America's 2.1 million disabled veterans and their families. The organization maintains a staff of 260 professional National Service Officers (NSOs), is stationed in 69 cities across the United States, is a non-profit organization with 1.2 million members that was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932.  DAV NSOs counsel veterans and family members concerning benefits and programs to which they are entitled by law. The NSO then assists these veterans and families in filing claims for these benefits and establishing eligibility. More than 98% of the DAV's professional and management staff, including the NSOs providing these free services, are disabled veterans of the Vietnam War or later periods of military service. DAV represents over 200,000 disabled veterans as their official advocacy and service group in the United States and donations directly contribute to the funding of DAV programming. These programs include:

Benefits assistance

The DAV's sole purpose is to "build better lives for disabled veterans and their families." Your donated items picked up through Donate DAV's free service help keep benefit assistance free for all veterans and military.

Benefits include access to the 260 National Service Officers (260) who consult diabled veterans -- free of charge -- on applying for veteran's assistance, education, employment, insurance, and other services that veterans and their families need to live quality lives. This service isn't just for DAV members; any veteran can utilize the network of Service Officers who work throughout the country.

Legislation

The DAV coordinates and runs grassroots campaigns throughout the United States to educate Americans about the critical dilemmas veterans, military, and their families face.

DAV associates operate at every level of the campaign process, from drafting and lobbying for resolutions to educating the public. It's arguable that without the DAV, the Veterans Administration may never have been raised to a Cabinet-level agency called the Department of Veterans Affairs, giving returned soldiers direct representation in the oval office.

Through DAV convention delegates, new resolutions are presented for consideration in congressional offices at the state and federal level. Resolution Number 007 -- Provide a 10-Year Protection Period for 007-Service-Connected Disability Evaluations -- is a top priority for the DAV, whose lobbying efforts are aided by funds provided in part through your donated items.

Voluntary Services

The DAV's Voluntary Services Program coordinates volunteers around the country to help them benefit the lives of veterans and their families. Volunteers help out veterans in a number of ways: the Drive a Van program pairs volunteers with disabled vets who need assistance getting around town: from the hospital to the grocery store to home and back again. Volunteers can also work at a VA hospital, contributing in a number of ways to the recovery of disabled vets: Everything from keeping the hospital beds clean to spending time with our vets when they need a friend. For this crucial work, the DAV recognizes especially committed volunteers through the Jesse Brown Scholarship, which acknowledges those volunteers who are enthusiastic and passionate enough to go above and beyond in bettering the lives of America's vets.

Contact Information:       DAV National Headquarters                         Legislative Headquarters

                                         3725 Alexandria Pike                                  807 Maine Avenue SW

                                         Cold Spring, KY 41076                                Washington, DC 20024

                                         (877) I AM A VET                                       (202) 554-3501