​Oceanside Chamber Member of the Quarter - Veterans Association of North County

For over 10 years VANC has been committed to serving Active Duty and Military Veterans and for their service to our military men and women the Oceanside Chamber recognizes them as our Member of the Quarter.

In 2019 VANC started a Veterans Emergency Financial Aid (VEFA) fund to offer active duty and military veterans a one-time “hand up”. Since April 2020 they have given thousands of dollars to help pay cell phone bills, utilities, emergency car repairs and such, most of these have been in $200 or $300 increments. Just when they were close to depleting the VEFA fund, VANC held a Golf Tournament on Camp Pendleton which raised over $27,000.00!
 
VANC's response to the COVID Pandemic was to start a Food and Diaper distribution the second Friday of every month starting in April. From April to November they have served 17,946 Active Duty and Military Veterans, from that 85.5% have been Active Duty. Lori Boody, Executive Director says that “Monthly we deliver to 6 housebound veterans, and my favorite stat is that we have given away 168,805 diapers!”
 
In November 2020 VANC had 671 families come through the distribution event and they were able to give each family a Turkey. Of the 671 families served, 91% were active duty. They have recorded 2,620 Volunteer Hours from individuals and organizations wanting to serve the area’s military. Boody says with pride “We will continue to advance our humanitarian work for our Past and Present Military Heroes!”