Written by Lynn Goya,

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), a non-partisan group that advocates for veterans issues is Storming the Hill this week to speak to more than 100 congressional representatives on behalf of veterans.  The group, each year, surveys tens of thousands of veterans to find out what their most pressing needs are and then takes that report to Washington.  Two dozen veterans, divided into seven teams,  reach out to as many legislators as possible to talk with them one on one.  Follow their progress on a daily blog update or check to see whether your representative has made him/herself available.

But this takes funds and IAVA is asking supporters to chip in for a lunch, or a night’s stay, or to help offset the cost of printing the IAVA’s 2011 Policy Agenda.   The organization has broken down the costs so that donors can contribute as little as $5 to help pay for cab fare, or $1000 to sponsor a veteran’s expenses for a week.  (Costs are estimates.)

• $1,000 covers all expenses for one veteran for one week
• $250 covers all expenses  for one veteran for one day including hotel, three meals and cab fare
• $125 pays for a week of meals for one veteran
• $75 gives a vet a bed
• $50 pays for breakfast, lunch and dinner
• $25 provides for copies of the Policy Agenda to hand to staffers
• $10 pays for one meal
• $5 pays for a cab ride

Limited edition Storm the Hill t-shirts are also available for $20 with a tagline on the back that says, “We’ve Got Your Back.”