Phoenix – The Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce is looking for new members to help it grow and it’s seeking members with a willingness to help other Veterans any way they can. “It’s Veterans for Veterans,” said David Linhart, “It boils down to that. It doesn’t matter in what capacity you think you might be able to help a Veteran, it’s all beneficial.”
The SWVCC is a relatively new nonprofit association organized in 2012 to help improve the business opportunities and enhance the economic environment of Veterans and businesses owned or supported by Veterans. The SWVCC has three chapters so far – the Northwest Valley/Glendale Chapter, the Paradise Valley Chapter and the North Scottsdale Chapter.
Linhart, president of the Northwest Valley/Glendale Chapter, says the membership wants to see that grow. “We want to see that expand dramatically by the end of the year,” he said. Linhart encourages Veterans and nonveterans to come to a meeting to see what the group is all about and get involved. “If it’s helping vet run a business or donating time and resources,” he said. “Whatever benefits Veterans is what we’re all about. You don’t have to be a Veteran to join. Membership is open to Veterans and Patriots.”
Lunch meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at Dillon’s Restaurant, 20585 N. 59th Ave., just north of the 101 in Glendale. Lunches are $15 and includes the gratuity. Guest speakers are available to discuss topics of importance to Veterans. Networking opportunities are also provided.
Linhart said one of the chamber’s immediate needs are grant writers to volunteer their time and expertise to help garner grant funding to help support potential projects such as Habitat for Humanity for Veterans. “I have a passion to do more than the chamber is set up for currently,” he said. “Even if we get volunteer time and donated materials at some point we’ll need funding and that’s where grant writers come in.”
Linhart said another project is a facility where returning Veterans could learn trades such as HVAC or electrical and house a general contractor that could put them to work. “Grant writing would put this chamber in a position to do some serious good,” he said.
Another fundraiser being planned for this fall is the SWVCC Inaugural Patriots Ball, Nov. 20, 2015 at the Salt River Project Pera Club in Tempe, Ariz.
The chamber’s offices are at 13236 N. 7th St. Suite 4246, Phoenix, AZ 85022.
