VHA: Does make a difference
Gerald Tucker
The VHA Continuing to Make
a Difference
Founded in 1990, The Village Homeowners Advocates (VHA) has been dedicated to assisting Village residents and championing the benefits of The Villages lifestyle. With a membership in excess of 15,000, The VHA focuses on communications, philanthropy, education, volunteering and socialization.
Although you may be familiar with one or more of the VHA activities you may not know the extent of its programs nor their impact on our community. In 2025 as a 501 (C) 3 tax exempt organization, the VHA donated more than $125,000 in goods and services. For example, its Shared Harvest Gardens, program provided more than 25,000 pounds of homegrown fresh organic produce to 7 local food banks helping to feed an estimated 50,000 individuals. 2025 was also a busy year for Helping Hands. Relocated to Brownwood, more than 8,000 Village residents were served by this VHA affiliate that lends at no cost, durable medical equipment such as wheel chairs, walkers, canes and crutches. The VHA also provided financial support for the new UF Heath Breast Center as Spanish Plaines.
Determined to remain a reliable source of information for Village residents, the VHA continued provided several educational programs. In 2025, monthly Residents’ Information Nights hosted more than 1,100 residents who heard from county and local agencies plus selected presenters of general interest. Both new and established residents were provided with valuable information about District and county government as well as volunteering opportunities in our community. The Golf Cart Safety program designed to aid residents acclimate to our Village lifestyle continued to grow in popularity and was expanded in 2025.
A key component of the VHA’s focus on education in the annual Health and Wellness Expo. On November 21st, more than 3,000 people attended the event the Rohan Recreation Center. In addition to hosting more than 20 exhibitors, for the first time, 22 health related club and support groups participated. For 2026, exhibition space has been expanded to accommodate even more exhibitors.
Stressing the VHA’s commitment to communication, Executive Vice President Dave Fountaine indicates “One of the key tenants of the leadership team is to seek continual improvement in how we communicate with Village residents on the web site, Facebook, email or face to face interactions. For instance, understanding the need to be more user friendly, 2025 saw significant upgrades to the web site www.thevha.net including a more robust calendar of events and a Community Resource tab where residents can seek help or learn about volunteering opportunities”
The Neighborhood Representative Program considered by many as the backbone of the VHA is a unique program of more than 100 Villages volunteers continues to grow. Located throughout The Villages, these volunteers are able to address questions and concerns of Village residents. They are well informed and prepared to assist residents with issues regarding local government services and whom to contact. Information about the program and how to contact a Neighborhood Representative in your area can be found on the VHA website www.thevha.net .
When asked about the future, VHA President Peter Russell remarked “Thanks to our dedicated volunteers we have made considerable progress over the last three years and have only begun.”
The VHA Editorial Board
Rich Cole
Roger Kass