DonateSince its inception in 2007, the Virginia Gentlemen Foundation (VGF) has been dedicated to making a significant impact in the Hampton Roads community. With your support, VGF aims to create a more inclusive Virginia Beach for children adults with differing abilities, by providing accessible resources in Hampton Roads.
Imagine a place where children of all abilities can play together, enjoying sensory-stimulating environments that include accessible swings, sensory walls, and more. Such inclusive assets allow everyone, regardless of their abilities, to interact, connect, and simply play.
The achievements of VGF speak volumes. From constructing the nation’s first fully handicap-accessible beach park and playground called Grommet Island, to developing JT’s Camp Grom, we continually strive to improve our community. Our focus remains in key areas: funding ALS research and developing community assets that enhance accessibility for everyBODY.
Our commitment to ALS research began with a personal story- one of our members Josh Thompson was diagnosed with ALS soon after our foundation was established. In response, VGF partnered with the ALS Association and supported the local Walk to Defeat ALS and have raised $$$$$$ dollars to date.
Camp Grom:
A Haven for Families, Veterans, Children, and EVERYBody!
Unique on the East Coast, Camp Grom is a 70-acre, beach-style adventure designed to welcome EvertBODY.
It’s the only family and group facility of its kind, where wounded veterans, families of the fallen, and individuals with differing abilities can come together, share experiences, and connect in a safe, supportive environment. Camp Grom is all about turning possibilities into reality.
Camp Grom offers exhilarating outdoor activities such as an alpine climbing tower, kayaking, swimming, archery, and more. Adaptive gear is available to ensure everyone can participate.
The site boasts an aquatic center, an outdoor lake with fishing, a gym/auditorium, picnic shelters, sports fields, and a water spray park. Both indoor and outdoor features are designed to accommodate various needs.
Including cable-powered water sports that allows riders to cross the lake in a tube or wakeboard, and a chair lift assists individuals with physical disabilities to get in and out of the water safely. The gymnasium even features reinforced flooring for wheelchair use, ensuring inclusivity throughout the camp.
Camp Grom It’s a special place where everyone in the family can spend quality time and engage in activities together
Camp Grom stands as a testament to what’s possible when a community comes together to support its members. It’s not just a camp; it’s a place where lives are transformed. Join us in supporting this unique haven, making lasting memories and fostering connections for wounded veterans, gold star families, and children and adults with differing abilities.
Grommet Island Park
This 15,000 square foot beach park features wheelchair accessible entrances and an incredible playground that includes poured-in-place surfacing, raised sand tables for sandcastle building at an accessible height, a sensory board for children who are autistic and visually impaired, and a sway boat.
The playground also boasts sculptural features such as dolphins, a surfboard, and a wave that are all fully accessible for children to pretend to ride the waves and swim with the dolphins. Wood polymer decking extends from the playground to accessible seating areas with an umbrella and hand-operated sand scoop designed to be used by a person in a wheelchair, allowing everyBODY to play in the sand.
Grommet Island Park
This 15,000 square foot beach park features wheelchair accessible entrances and an incredible playground that includes poured-in-place surfacing, raised sand tables for sandcastle building at an accessible height, a sensory board for children who are autistic and visually impaired, and a sway boat.
The playground also boasts sculptural features such as dolphins, a surfboard, and a wave that are all fully accessible for children to pretend to ride the waves and swim with the dolphins. Wood polymer decking extends from the playground to accessible seating areas with an umbrella and hand-operated sand scoop designed to be used by a person in a wheelchair, allowing everyBODY to play in the sand.
Amenities:
Fully Accessible
Playground
Beach Wheelchairs that are
FREE to use
(available as first come first serve) -Between April 1 – October 1 beach chairs are available for use in the small Grommet –Island “park” area (supply is limited and available as first come first serve)
An attendant
should be available between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. for assistance
CHKD Pediatric
Intensive Unit
The Grom-Bulance, funded and developed by the Virginia Gentlemen, serves as a beacon of hope and comfort for pediatric patients at CHKD.
This mobile Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is staffed with a CHKD-based transport team, including a specially trained intensive care registered nurse, paramedic, and respiratory therapist, all experts in neonatal and pediatric care.
The GromBulance is a child-friendly ICU on wheels, thoughtfully designed to alleviate the anxiety children often feel during medical transport.Our mission is to make the journey as stress-free as possible for both the patients and their families. The beach-themed environment offers a sense of relaxation, helping children feel at ease from the first moment they see the ambulance.
The dedicated transport team begins crucial treatments en route, ensuring that the child benefits immediately from high-quality, specialized care.
The GromBulance not only addresses urgent medical needs but also provides a compassionate, inviting atmosphere that transforms a potentially frightening experience into one of comfort and reassurance.
With the GromBulance, critically ill children can momentarily escape into a world calm, making their medical journey a little less intimidating and a lot more caring.
The Angel Fund
JT’s Angel Fund by the Virginia Gentlemen Foundation
The Virginia Gentlemen Foundation launched the Angel Fund, the COVID-19 pandemic to provide financial assistance to families affected by ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). This initiative aimed to address their immediate, day-to-day needs during an exceptionally challenging time.
The Angel Fund
JT’s Angel Fund by the Virginia Gentlemen Foundation
The Virginia Gentlemen Foundation launched the Angel Fund, the COVID-19 pandemic to provide financial assistance to families affected by ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). This initiative aimed to address their immediate, day-to-day needs during an exceptionally challenging time.
Since its inception, The Angel Fund has evolved into a pivotal support system for individuals in Virginia diagnosed with ALS and their families. The fund offers comprehensive financial assistance covering essential expenses such as rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, in-home care, maintenance fees, taxes, insurance costs, and childcare expenditures.
As a lifeline to those grappling with the profound impact of ALS, The Angel Fund ensures that affected families can focus on the well-being of their loved ones without the added burden of financial strain.We are committed to easing their path through this difficult journey by providing the necessary support to maintain a stable and secure living environment.
Simple, short grant applications are now being accepted through JT’s Angel Fund. If you or someone you know could benefit from this crucial assistance, please reach out to the Virginia Gentlemen Foundation for more information.
Your generous support can make a tangible difference in the lives of those battling ALS. By becoming a donor, you help us extend our reach and impact, providing hope and relief where it is most needed. Together, we can make a profound and lasting contribution to the ALS community in Virginia. For inquiries and donations, please contact the Virginia Gentlemen Foundation.