The Veterans Advocate Network (VAN) is a collaborative group dedicated to serving veterans and military-affiliated individuals and families in Adams County. It has grown into a vital resource since its launch in October 2022. The idea for VAN emerged when Elizabeth Cooper, formerly a Veterans Representative with Adams/Franklin County CareerLink and now with the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), joined Brandy Rogers, Adams Economic Alliance, and Samantha Cossman, along with DMVA in identifying a gap in coordinated services. Together, they recognized the need for a networking group focused specifically on issues impacting the local veteran and military community.
Since then, VAN has met quarterly. The Adams Economic Alliance generously provided space for the gatherings. The network brings together professionals, advocates, and individuals with lived military experience to collaborate and share resources in support of Adams County veterans.
To better address community needs, VAN established working groups focused on wellness, food access, and resource awareness. One of the most impactful initiatives to emerge is the Gettysburg MilitaryShare Food Distribution program. Organized through the food access work group, this free monthly program provides supplemental groceries to veteran households in need, distributing approximately 105 shares each month. The effort is powered by volunteers and sustained through monetary and in-kind donations, as well as partnerships with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority (GARA), where it is held.
The wellness work group has also made meaningful strides, hosting a successful resource fair in October 2025. The event invited veterans and their spouses to gather for food, camaraderie, and access to vital services ahead of a monthly MilitaryShare distribution at the Gettysburg rec park. Support from Healthy Adams County (HAC) played a key role in making the event possible.
Looking ahead, VAN continues to evolve. In early 2026, Kathy Gaskin and Elizabeth Cooper began discussions about formally aligning VAN as a committee of Healthy Adams County. The board has since welcomed the collaboration, further strengthening the network’s foundation and reach.
Today, VAN remains an informal but highly effective coalition, with members representing federal, state, and county agencies, alongside local organizations and community advocates. United by a shared commitment, the group continues working together to improve the quality of life for veterans and their families across Adams County.
VAN officially took an exciting step forward as it became an affiliate of Healthy Adams County at its most recent meeting.
Stan Clark, Director of Veterans Affairs for Adams County, was on site for the meeting and was very pleased with the merger, “It’s a good partnering to help vets. It’s very generous of Healthy Adams to include VAN.”
VAN meets on the third Wednesday of January, April, July, and October. Meetings are held from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., usually at the Adams Economic Alliance in Gettysburg. Anyone is welcome to be be present at a meeting to learn, interact, and collaborate to support the military-affiliated community in Adams County. There is no fee to join VAN. Samantha Cossman welcomes you to email her at scossman@pa.gov to be added to the email listing and receive invitations to upcoming meetings.
