Nonprofit Unites Veterans and Civilians Through the Power of Storytelling
To ensure that the living history of U.S. veterans will never be forgotten, Veterans Breakfast Club (VBC) announced today the national expansion of its nonprofit organization. Founded in 2008, VBC is dedicated to creating communities of listening around veterans and their stories to connect, educate, heal and inspire. Through diverse virtual programming, VBC is cultivating the only community of its kind, bringing together veterans, their families and civilians to share, celebrate and preserve veterans’ stories.
Since 2008, VBC has served the greater Pittsburgh area with weekly local meetings to unite veterans within the community and share their stories. Following the organization’s success and strategic shift to virtual programming, VBC expanded its programming to a virtual format on a national scale.
Michael Cherock, board president of VBC, shared: “The magic of VBC is the people. Our virtual events are hosted by executive director Todd DePastino, a historian with a gift for guiding the conversation in a meaningful way where everyone has the opportunity to participate, connect, learn, heal and inspire. Unlike any other organization, VBC has provided a community for veterans to tell stories previously never shared, while also giving families the opportunity to hear stories from their loved one’s time in the service. As a veteran myself, I implore anyone who is a veteran or knows one to join one of VBC’s programs to fully experience this unique organization.”
Currently, VBC connects through five virtual programs: Veterans Breakfast Club, VBC Happy Hour, Generation 9/11, Greatest Generation Live and The Scuttlebutt. The Veterans Breakfast Club and VBC Happy Hour programs bring together veterans of all eras to share their stories, while also encouraging questions and discussion about the veteran experience. Commemorating the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Generation 9/11 connects veterans who have served since Sept. 11, 2001. Greatest Generation Live features roundtable discussions and sharing stories of World War II veterans before they are lost. In addition to live programming, the organization also offers a weekly podcast called The Scuttlebutt that highlights the military experience, both past and present.
“There is so much power in storytelling and creating a community for listening, particularly when it comes to our veterans,” said Todd DePastino, executive director of VBC. “Every veteran has a story, and the best way to thank a veteran is to listen. We strive to be faithful stewards of the stories we gather and the communities we create, and we are thrilled to welcome veterans and civilians across the country into the VBC community so that we can build a nation that better understands and values the experiences of our military.”
All of VBC’s live programming is available to attend for free via Zoom. Participants can also watch via Facebook Live and YouTube. To learn more about VBC, register for an upcoming program, or donate to continue the legacy of veteran storytelling, visit veteransbreakfastclub.org.
About Veterans Breakfast Club
Founded in 2008, Veterans Breakfast Club is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to creating communities of listening around veterans and their stories to ensure that this living history will never be forgotten. VBC believes that through their work, people will be connected, educated, healed and inspired. Through weekly virtual programming, VBC offers a one-of-a-kind community that brings together veterans, their families and civilians to share, celebrate and preserve veterans’ stories. To learn more and join our community, visit veteransbreakfastclub.org.
