Veterans Homes gets $250K grant for virtual reality gear

Bowlers to Veterans Link has awarded a $250,000 grant to the National Association of State Veterans Homes for virtual reality content and equipment.

The grant, accepted by NASVH Education Committee Chairman Jonathan Spier at the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook last week, will be used for the immediate deployment of MyndVR into 50 state veteran homes across the United States.

MyndVR is a provider of VR-based, digital therapeutic experiences designed for the aging population.

“It is an absolute honor to work with BVL to bring our therapeutic brand of virtual reality to such an important population,” MyndVR CEO and founder Chris Brickler said in a written statement. “These veterans have earned this technology that provides emotional comfort, cognitive engagement, and even physical exercise in long-term care. The therapeutic power of VR is truly limitless.”

BVL is bowling’s oldest charity, founded in 1942 when bowlers across America raised funds to purchase planes to bring wounded servicemen and women home from World War II. Since the organization’s inception, the bowling community has raised more than $55 million to support those who have served.

“Eighty years ago, BVL was flying servicemen and women back home from duty. Today, we are enabling veterans to virtually land on the USS Eisenhower in the Atlantic Ocean, go skydiving in a wingsuit, travel the world, and engage in a whole new range of experiences as part of their recreation therapy activities,” John LaSpina, chairman of BVL, said in the statement. “We are excited to join forces with MyndVR to bring this incredible state-of-the-art technology to brighten the lives of as many veterans as possible.”

For more information visit: www.myndvr.com and www.BVL.org.