VHA History Timeline

More Than 35 Years of Volunteers Working on Behalf of Residents

1990

• Founders of the VHA first met to form an organization dedicated to positive, constructive communication between residents of The Villages and the Developer.
• The Developer agreed to regular meetings provided discussions remained professional and productive.

1991

• First public VHA meeting held.
• Yvonne Knudson became the first VHA President.
• Working with other resident groups, the VHA successfully petitioned the Florida Department of Transportation to:
  • Lower speed limits on Hwy 27/441
  • Approve construction of a multi-modal bridge over the highway

1993

• The VHA worked with DuPont regarding defective polybutylene pipes in manufactured homes.
• Secured an agreement to replace affected piping in homes experiencing problems.

1995

• First monthly VHA Resident Information Night held free of charge for residents (formerly the VHA Newcomers Social).
• Began philanthropic fundraising efforts with a golf tournament benefiting Boggy Creek Camp.

1996

• Hosted informational programs featuring:
  • Better Business Bureau
  • The Villages Golf Division explaining the new tee-time system

1996–1997 Community Support

Donations and assistance included:

• Haven of Lake & Sumter Counties
• Hurricane relief efforts
• Golf cart donation to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Department
• Computerized house locator system for Lady Lake Police Department
• Angel Flight
• Habitat for Humanity
• MS Walk and other charitable causes

1998

• First monthly VHA Golf Cart Safety Clinic held free of charge for residents.
• Program continues today.

1999

• Launched fundraising campaign to furnish the chapel and lobby at The Villages Regional Hospital (now UF Health – The Villages).

2001

• Following the September 11 attacks, the VHA helped raise more than $240,000 through the “United We Stand” campaign.
• The VHA website launched.
• The VHA Charitable Foundation received official Florida 501(c)(3) status.

2003

• Played an active role in establishing a local CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) unit in The Villages.

2004

• Donated an AED (Automated External Defibrillator).
• Organized fundraising efforts for AEDs in recreation centers.
• Worked with Public Safety to provide CPR and AED training.
• Presented Lady Lake Police Department with a special patrol golf cart.

2005

Hurricane Katrina Relief

• “Adopted” Ocean Springs after Hurricane Katrina.
• Raised $160,000 to assist rebuilding efforts including:
  • Senior Center
  • Recreation facilities
• Additional donations made to:
  • Salvation Army
  • American Red Cross
  • SPCA
  • United Way

Infrastructure Improvements

• Funded design, manufacture, and installation of tunnel identification signage throughout The Villages.

2006

• VHA Neighborhood Representatives helped initiate discussions that led to the Multi-Modal Path Reconstruction Project north of CR 466.

2007

Groundhog Day Tornado Relief

• Following the February 2 tornado outbreak, partnered with Villages Entertainment to hold benefit concerts raising $70,000.
• Additional fundraising supported Wildwood and Lady Lake food pantries.

Emergency Preparedness

• Donated more than $50,000 toward an Emergency Weather Radio Transmitter installed in partnership with:
  • Sumter County
  • NOAA

Public Safety Support

• Donated $15,000 for a four-wheel-drive emergency response ATV.

2008

• Supported efforts for a golf-cart-accessible VA clinic in The Villages.
• Partnered with law enforcement to distribute Golf Cart and Low-Speed Vehicle Safety Guidelines.

2009–2012

Resident Advocacy Successes

• Mediated agreements extending warranties on underground HVAC refrigerant lines, benefiting more than 1,000 homeowners.
• Negotiated blistering shingle replacement agreements with Owens Corning and Villages Home Warranty.
• Resident savings exceeded $6 million.

District Governance

• Proposed transformation of the Project Wide Agreement into the Project Wide Advisory Committee to increase resident oversight and participation.

2013

Golf Cart Access Resolution

• Worked with Developer representatives and District Government to restore golf cart access to the Medical Center north of Paradise Drive.

Helping Hands Program

• VHA volunteers began lending durable medical equipment from a volunteer’s garage.
• Program evolved into today’s VHA Helping Hands operation handling more than 10,000 transactions annually.

2014

• Donated a Pacesaver Mobility Scooter to a Villages veteran.

Community Partnerships

Partnered with District Government and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Department on:

• Operation S.A.F.E. (Stop Adult Financial Exploitation)
• CarFit senior driver safety programs

Health Initiatives

• Presented educational programs as Village Health Clinics opened.
• Supported Alzheimer monitoring programs for the Sheriff’s Department.

2015

• Conducted annual Electronic Recycling fundraising events supporting charitable initiatives (2015–2019).

2016

Educational Initiatives

• Promoted creation of The Villages Enrichment Academy (TEA).

Healthcare Support

• Donated $25,000 toward hospital expansion efforts at The Villages Hospital.

Safety Education

• Produced Golf Cart Safety Clinic educational video in partnership with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

2017

Country & Western Hoedown

• Hosted large-scale fundraising events on the polo field from 2017–2020.

Hurricane Harvey Relief

• Partnered with the T & D Family of Companies to support victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Infrastructure Collaboration

• Helped negotiate repair and maintenance solutions for Wales Plaza Road.

Golf Cart Safety

• Collaborated on free golf cart safety pamphlets distributed with golf cart purchases.

2018

• VHA volunteers trained and managed polling operations at Sterling Heights Recreation Center for Primary and General Elections.

2019

• VHA became a triad of 501(c)(3) organizations:
  • VHA
  • VHA Community Foundation
  • VHA Helping Hands

2021

Emergency Services Advocacy

• Advocated for The Villages to establish its own EMS and Fire System.

Helping Hands Expansion

• Purchased a dedicated transportation van for equipment distribution.

Organizational Streamlining

• VHA Community Foundation transitioned into a direct VHA program.

2023

Expanded Community Outreach

• “The Voice” became a full-page feature in the The Villages Daily Sun.

Program Improvements

• Introduced pre-registration for VHA programs.

Charitable Giving

Supported organizations including:

• Our Moment Café
• Angel Wigs
• Tutors for Kids
• New Horizon Service Dogs
• Shared Harvest Gardens
• Villagers for Veterans
• Operation Shoebox
• Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches

Health & Wellness Expo

• Hosted the first annual VHA Health & Wellness Expo with sponsors and speaker series.

2024

Resident Outreach

• The Developer approved inclusion of VHA information in resident closing documents and ID distribution materials.

Online Resources

• Added a Community Resources hub with more than 300 local resources to the VHA website.

Ongoing Philanthropy

• Continued support of Shared Harvest Gardens through the VHA Foundation.

2025

Website & Community Outreach

• VHA website began promoting sponsors aligned with the VHA mission.

Expanded Safety Programs

• Added additional Golf Cart Safety Clinics at recreation centers throughout The Villages.

New Headquarters

• VHA and VHA Helping Hands moved into a dedicated building in Brownwood.

Third Annual Health & Wellness Expo

• Raised more than $100,000 for future philanthropic efforts.
• VHA President Peter Russell presented a $25,000 donation to support the new UF Health Central Florida Breast Center.