Earlier this year, the CVB was asked to match an incoming meeting group with a non-profit to support during their annual meetings which was set for July at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. After evaluating the groups interests and partner opportunities, a great match was made between the group, Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance (VCTA), and Vetshouse, Inc., a local non-profit which supports military veterans.
VCTA’s goal was to raise $560, which would pay the Vetshouse expenses for one month, plus collect a bin of personal care and toiletries for the residents. VCTA decided to hold a raffle to raise the money, with the raffle winner winning $200. Support was overwhelming; VCTA initially raised $2,400 in cash donations plus four bins of personal care items. Here’s where the story really gets good:
On Saturday morning, July 16, VCTA leaders invited Vetshouse Executive Director Willard “Smitty” Smith, a Vietnam veteran, to join them for breakfast. Smitty accepted and thought he was going to the Sheraton to collect a bin of personal care items but was instead presented with a check for $2,400. While he was overwhelmed at VTCA’s generosity, but again, the story gets even better…
The winner of the $200 raffle donated her winnings to Vetshouse, bringing the total donation to $2,600. VCTA Executive President Jeffrey Southard then asked VCTA members to step up to make the donation an even $3,000 and offered a challenge, start with his $50 contribution. Within minutes, the line to donate additional money to Vetshouse stretched around the Sheraton ballroom! VTCA members took out $20, $50, even $100 bills, and placed them on the table in front of Smitty. Some wrote checks. Smitty broke into tears. In the end, VTCA members contributed $6,300 to Vetshouse along with four bins of personal care items.
This project represents the largest donation made to a partner under the “One Beach, One World” social responsibility program created by the CVB to enhance the Virginia Beach experience for visitors desiring to support our community during their stay.
