Oct 14, 2025
For its 19th annual fundraiser in May, VFW’s partnership with Burger King proved a success.
With 24 participating franchisees and 880 restaurants, this year’s fundraiser raised $348,559 for the VFW’s National Veterans Service (NVS).
The campaign, which invites guests to donate $1 or more with their purchased meals, helped provide free VA claims assistance through NVS for military and veteran families, ensuring they receive the benefits they have earned.
“NVS stands as a vital lifeline for our veterans, offering free, expert and accredited assistance in navigating the complexities of VA claims,” said Hal Roesch III, VFW Foundation executive director and past VFW Commander-in-Chief, 2020-2021. “This isn’t just about paperwork. It’s about ensuring veterans and their families receive their earned benefits and care. Supporting this program invests directly in those who sacrificed for our nation. They stood up for us. Now it’s our turn.”
Located in the nation’s capital, NVS has served veterans, military members and their families for more than 100 years. NVS was built on helping these groups acquire their earned VA benefits at no cost.
Last year, VFW’s National Veterans Service helped more than 590,500 veterans receive $14.62 billion of VA disability benefits, including back pay. VFW’s network of VA-accredited service officers has been helping veterans receive their earned pay.
VFW’s NVS Director Michael Figlioli said that VFW is committed to a lifetime of advocacy for all veterans.
“Our representatives are assisting clients from the moment they file a disability claim through a review of the VA’s decision,” Figlioli said. “VFW also files any appeals necessary for the veteran or family member to receive the maximum benefit allowed.”
Figlioli said the work of VFW service officers goes beyond VA disability claims. Service officers also must be knowledgeable about the GI Bill, VA health care, home loans and other VA benefits and services.
“It does not matter if you are a member of the VFW or not — we are here to help,” Figlioli said. “VFW will never charge a fee for assisting a veteran, their spouse or family member in filing a claim.”
Since 2007, Burger King franchisees have raised more than $7.8 million in support of VFW programs.
This article is featured in the 2025 September/October issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Ismael Rodriguez Jr, associate editor for VFW magazine.