ORLANDO, Fla. – DAV (Disabled American Veterans) has named Evan Osgood of Loveland, Ohio, as the recipient of the 2022 DAV Scholarship Program’s top prize of $30,000. Osgood will be recognized Aug. 6 during the 2022 DAV and Auxiliary National Convention in Orlando, Florida.

The DAV Scholarship Program honors 10 students each year for their volunteer support of veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) Program and through DAV’s Local Veterans Assistance Program (LVAP).

Osgood, 17, is a recent graduate of Loveland High School. He’s been volunteering since he was 7, with his most recent efforts coming after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He created a network of more than 10,000 volunteers to assemble and donate masks to people in need. More than 300,000 of the 700,000 items he and his team made went to veteran communities.

“Volunteering has always been an incredible way for me to make a difference and feel better during tough times,” said Osgood.

He plans to use the scholarship to attend college to study computer science and business.

“All our scholarship winners embody everything that DAV stands for,” said DAV National Commander Andy Marshall. “Through their creativity, leadership and sacrifice of time and energy, Evan and the nine other recipients serve as an inspiring reminder to all of us about the significant impact volunteers can have on the lives of those who’ve served our nation.”

Additional scholarship recipients include:

$20,000 – Emma Gardner of Fayetteville, Arkansas

$15,000 – Leanne Maharaj of Norfolk, Virginia

$10,000 – Arjun Verma of Longwood, Florida

$7,500 – Avya Kacir of Phoenix, Arizona

$7,500 – Madyson Weidner of Cabot, Arkansas

$5,000 – Jean You of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

$5,000 – Destiny Klinkhammer of Racine, Wisconsin

$5,000 – Adithi Tirumalai of Santa Clara, California

$5,000 – Rosadry Rios of Melrose Park, Illinois

DAV increased the amount of scholarships from $75,000 to $110,000 this year to further incentivize youth participation. Ford Motor Co. supports the program by contributing $100,000. Photos and media may be made available upon request.

 

 

About DAV

DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: keeping our promise to America’s veterans. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them, fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill, providing employment resources to veterans and their families, and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a nonprofit organization with more than 1 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932. Learn more at DAV.org.