Big Stone Gap VFW Post Receives Renovation Grant from Churchill Downs Incorporated and Virginia Veterans Foundation

BIG STONE GAP, Va. (December 18, 2025)—On Monday, Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Virginia Veterans Foundation delivered a charitable contribution of $2,500 to Post 5715 John Fox Jr. Post to help improve accessibility and security at its Post Home in Big Stone Gap. The grant was the sixth contribution from the Colonial Downs VFW Post Home Improvement Grant program.

The contribution ceremony included VFW Post 5715 Commander Bradley Bowen and Post members along with Senator Todd Pillion (District 6), Big Stone Gap Mayor Gary Johnson, and Gary Adams, past state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Virginia.

“Churchill Downs is proud to support VSW Post 5715 and the Southwest Virginia veterans it serves,” said Aaron Palmer, Director of Virginia Government Relations for Churchill Downs Incorporated, owner and operator of Colonial Downs Racetrack and Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums. “We were honored to provide the financial support that created the Post Home Improvement Grant and are gratified to see it being put to such good use.”

“I am extremely grateful for the generous grant from Colonial Downs and the Virginia Veterans Foundation, said Bradley Bowen, VFW Post 5715 commander. “This grant will allow us to make our Post home a more accessible place for veterans of all ages. We were honored that Senator Todd Pillion, a veteran himself, joined us for this special evening.”

“VFW Post 5715 has welcomed veterans home to Southwest Virginia for generations and is a pillar of the Big Stone Gap community,” said Senator Todd Pillion. “I thank Churchill Downs for providing support to Virginia’s veterans and the organizations that serve them.”

“On behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Virginia, I want to thank the good people at Colonial Downs Racetrack, and the entire Churchill Downs organization, for supporting veterans in Southwest Virginia and all across the Commonwealth,” said VFW Virginia State Commander Doug Hoffman. “This grant is a small symbol of appreciation that will have a real impact on the lives of our fellow veterans as they return home.”

This contribution is the sixth grant from the Colonial Downs VFW Post Home Improvement Grantprogram, which was created with a $25,000 charitable contribution made by Churchill Downs Incorporated as part of its Salute to Service during the 2025 Festival of Racing at Colonial Downs Racetrack. Previous grants helped John Lyon VFW Post 3150 (Arlington) improve its accessibility, supported VFW Post 776 (Radford-Montgomery County) in its recovery from a recent break-in, and helped VFW Post 176 (Newport News) and VFW Post 2582 (Suffolk) make needed upgrades and updates, and helped a Roanoke area veteran make needed repairs to his home. 

Churchill Downs Incorporated, owner and operator of Colonial Downs Racetrack and Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums in Hampton and around the state, contributes to local organizations and causes through special programs like the Colonial Downs VFW Post Home Improvement Grant and its “Rosie’s Gives Back” program, which has made more than $5.4 million in direct donations and in-kind contributions, and donated thousands of hours of volunteer service. The program supports a range of nonprofits and causes around Virginia including groups providing services in education, workforce development, healthcare, and support for veterans and law enforcement. The goal of the Rosie’s Gives Back program is to meaningfully improve the quality of life in the communities where team members live and work. The company also partners with statewide programs for the broadest impact possible.

The Virginia Veterans Foundation (VVF) is the official charitable foundation for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Department of Virginia. The mission of the VVF is to support the programs and operations of the Department and to support veterans, active-duty military, and their families. The VFW is one of the largest, and most charitable, veterans service organizations in Virginia. Virginia has 122 VFW posts and 36,000 members, including auxiliaries, in every region of the Commonwealth.