Newport News VFW Receives Post Improvement Grant from Churchill Downs Incorporated and Virginia Veterans Foundation

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (November 16, 2025)—During a Saturday meeting at the Post, Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Virginia Veterans Foundation announced a charitable contribution of $2,500 to VFW Post 176 (Newport News) to make needed upgrades and updates to the Post. VFW Post 176 is Virginia’s oldest chartered VFW Post, having been established in 1920.

This contribution for the Post’s upgrades is the third grant from the Colonial Downs VFW Post Home Improvement Grant program, 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 and supported VFW Post 776 (Radford-Montgomery County) in its recovery from a recent break-in. 

“Churchill Downs is proud to support VFW Post 176 and the Hampton Roads 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.”

“Our Post is deeply grateful for this support from Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Virginia Veterans Foundation, said Beth Ford, VFW Post 176 commander and a twenty-two year veteran of the United States Air Force who deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.. “This grant will allow us to make our Post an even more welcoming and comfortable place for veterans of all ages to find support, camaraderie, and fellowship.”

“As Virginia’s oldest chartered post, Post 176 holds a special place in our Virginia VFW community,” said VFW Virginia State Commander Doug Hoffman. “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 Hampton Roads and all across the Commonwealth.”

“For more than 100 years, VFW Post 176 has been an important part of the Newport News community. The veterans of Post 176 have welcomed home brave men and women who have served our country and helped ease their transition,” said Senator Mamie Locke (23^rd District—Hampton/Newport News). “I am grateful to the Virginia Veterans Foundation and Colonial Downs for providing the financial support to help improve the Post’s security and beauty.”

“I am thrilled to learn that Newport News VFW Post 176 is the recipient of a generous grant from the Virginia Veterans Foundation and Churchill Downs to upgrade their facilities,” said Delegate Cia Price(District 85—Newport News). “This well-deserved support recognizes Post 176’s enduring impact on the Newport News community. I would like to thank all our veterans for their service.”

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.