The VVA 126 Foundation
Sustaining our legacy of service, advocacy, valor, and excellence for veterans of all generations.
Foundation Objectives
The purpose of the foundation is to provide funding for research and practices which help foster, encourage and promote the improvement of the condition of the Vietnam Veteran and all other veterans in the New York City area. Also planned is to assist disabled and needy Vietnam Veterans, and other veterans, and their dependents, and the widows and orphans of deceased Veterans by funding private and public programs designed to assist veterans in their daily lives.
Our team of officers and directors are Fred Gasior, Mike Moreno, Dave Woodruff, Marty Edelman, Michelle DellaFave, Peter Funk, Vince McGowan, Adam Pacelli, and Loree Sutton.
We have over 300 years of veteran support experience.
From the beginning in the late1970s to today, we have fought for veteran issues and have no plan to stop.
We are veterans that help all veterans and their families.
Project 'Twenty-Two to Zero'
22-2-0
Every day, 22 veterans commit suicide. That is close to one veteran an hour.
Over four hundred thousand veterans attempt suicide every year.
What drives these veterans to end their lives so needlessly?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is by far the primary reason a veteran would commit suicide.
PTSD is the psychiatric diagnosis for a mental condition caused by a traumatic event or repeated traumatic events such as the intensity of combat, witnessing death and destruction, or being wounded. Symptoms include triggered flashbacks that cause the veteran to repeatedly relive the experience, constant nightmares, avoidance of any situation that would cause these memories to return, and hyperawareness, the fear of their surroundings. A veteran may often develop a deep sense of distrust, the feeling that no one understands or cares about them, and withdraws from their family and friends and become recluse.
These conditions are highly stressful and lead to anger, frustration, and the feeling of helplessness. Constant periods of anxiety followed by depression often lead the veteran to try to cope with these feelings in destructive means such as alcoholism or drug or substance abuse, which all lead to a possible suicide.
As the premier segment of our commitment to provide whole health solutions to our veterans, we are focusing on four highly successful drug-free programs that will drastically reduce or eliminate the PTSD symptoms that lead to veteran suicide.
RTM – Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories is a clinical drug-free therapeutic protocol that re-programs the neurological connection between the brain’s feeling center and specific traumatic memories.
Homeward Bound Adirondacks - is a free three-day retreat where veterans can create a community that gives every veteran a chance to overcome challenges and discover they are not alone on their journey toward healing and recovery.
Alliance 180 - is s a peer-to-peer, purpose-driven program that aims to prevent suicide for fellow Veterans facing the effects of trauma through a transformative equine experience.
Operation Warrior Shield - Transcendental Meditation training can provide a veteran with a genuine, practical benefit that comes from this simple, stress-reducing, health-promoting technique.
Foundation Projects
Click on image for more details
RTM
RTM
If you are a member of or know of an organization that provides whole health programs that would benefit veterans, don't hesitate to contact us at VVA126@pipeline.com.
Helping Homeless & Hospitalized Veterans
The VA Hospital Essential Needs Store
Meeting with New York Harbor Health Care Services
Last September 2024, I met with the Director of the Center for Development & Civic Engagement (CDCE) and other representatives from the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System. The primary topic of discussion was the ongoing homeless crisis among veterans in New York City. I further learned there is a significant need within the Margaret Cochrane Corbin VA Hospital on 23rd Street to develop a program specifically aimed at providing clothing to homeless veterans.
Program Planning and Approval
Following this meeting, I brought the issue to the attention of both our VVA Chapter’s Board and our Foundation’s Board of Directors. After a thorough discussion, both boards agreed to collaborate in establishing and funding a program to address the clothing and special needs of homeless veterans.
Volunteer Involvement and Funding
Three members of our Chapter volunteered to help launch and operate the program. After careful screening and background checks; they secured VA approval to serve as on-site volunteer service representatives. With financial support authorized by our Chapter and Foundation, we purchased a variety of miscellaneous clothing items. Additionally, I reached out to local businesses to request further donations. Our team works closely with CDCE to allow veterans in need select an item of choice. To date, this partnership has proven very successful and mutually beneficial.
Community Support and Donations
Olympic Glove and Safety, a New Jersey based company, generously donated T-shirts, booties, jackets, vests, sweatshirts, gloves, hats, rain suits, and more to support our cause. Several other businesses and organizations joined our program with donations of clothing. In 2025, we were honored to receive a grant from the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project.
Program Implementation
The VA Hospital has provided our team with rooms on the 16th floor, equipped with shelving and hanging racks to facilitate clothing organization. Our team manages this and actively distributes items to homeless and disadvantaged veterans. Through coordination with CDCE (formerly Voluntary Services), we have provided clothing for over seventy-five veterans every month. Future programs are being planned for the Brooklyn VA hospital and other support veterans’ shelters, ministries, and civic groups.
As the New Year commences, we are hopeful for continued support with additional clothing and financial contributions from companies and individuals to expand and sustain this initiative. We welcome donations of new clothing, both male and female. Pallets to truck loads or boxed donations are also welcomed. Monetary donations help us buy clothing and hygiene products; all gifts are tax deductible. We’re a non-for-profit IRS 501(3) (C) tax exempt organization. Your support for our veterans is needed, valued and most appreciated.
Since 1776 American veterans have stood on the ramparts defending America’s Freedom, Liberty, and Democracy worldwide. Today, many are homeless and disadvantaged and need our help.
For further information on best ways to support and contribute to this program, please contact me directly (info below).
Help us help America’s heroes, the American Veteran. Monetary donations are most welcome and appreciated – see information on websites listed just below.
Thank you for your support of our veterans and our mission.
Best New Year wishes!
Sincerely,
Fred Gasior,
President
VVA 126 Chapter www.vva126.org
VVA 126 Foundation NYC www.vva126nycfoundation.org
Manhattan, New York
PO Box 203, New York, NY 10010-0203
516-769-6847 / Email: Chapter126nyc@gmail.com
The Agent Orange Project
While 58,479 U.S. military members were killed in action during the Vietnam War, over 400,000 Vietnam veterans and their children have died or are suffering illnesses caused by Agent Orange and other toxic chemical exposure after they came home. These ailments include: AL Amyloidosis, Chronic B-Cell Leukemia, Chloracne, Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, Bladder Cancer, Hodgkin’s Disease, Ischemic Heart Disease, Hypothyroidism, Multiple Myeloma, Non- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Parkinsonism, Parkinson’s Disease, Peripheral Neuropathy, Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, Prostate Cancer, Respiratory Cancers, and Soft Tissue Sarcomas. Agent Orange also effected their children born with a long list of congenital disabilities.
This project's purpose is to provide funding to support medical research and the development of effective clinical treatments for Vietnam veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and other health-related conditions; together with funding and supporting the physical and mental health needs of Vietnam veterans. To honor those who died or are suffering from Agent Orange and other deadly airborne toxins, a portion of your contributions will be used to create a special Agent Orange Plaque for installation at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza at 55 Water Street in Manhattan.
THIS DAY WILL PROVIDE AWARENESS, REMEMBRANCE AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.
We are requesting your participation through a tax-deductible contribution. A generous donation large or small will go a long way to help our veterans in their time of need.
Please send your check payable to:
VVA126 NYC Foundation
P.O. Box 209
New York, NY 10010
Press the Donate button for debit or credit card donations using our secured link
