Volunteer Service

About Voluntary Service

The American Legion has been a staunch supporter and active participant in the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) program since its inception in 1946. Today, across the country we have close to 7,000 volunteers that serve over 900,000 hours annually at various VA Medical Centers, Community Based Outpatient Centers, Vet Centers, Nursing Homes, State Veterans Homes, and many more locations in support of our hospitalized veterans. In every VA Medical Center, there are American Legion VAVS Representatives and Deputy Representatives that attend quarterly hospital meetings and coordinate volunteers and donation needs lists with their local community American Legion posts. Anyone can volunteer, for information concerning individual or post participation, you can contact the Chief of Voluntary Service at the local VA Medical Center. They arrange initial screenings and help veterans in choosing the program that best meets their needs. The volunteer would ultimately decide where they want to volunteer and how they want to volunteer (be regularly scheduled or serve on an occasional basis).

In the constantly evolving environment of VA health care delivery, there is an abundance of opportunities for everyone to contribute as a volunteer in your own way and for your own reasons. In the VA hospital and Polytrauma Centers, a volunteer can provide administration support, escort patients, be a food court ambassador, coffee server, information desk worker, shuttle driver and help with the veterans history project. In the community, you can volunteer at the Fisher House, Community Based Outpatient Clinic and at a Vet Center.

The VA has moved toward accommodating the skills of anyone who wants to volunteer, and within the time frame you have available. This can involve direct patient contact, or none at all depending on the comfort level of the volunteer. Activities can be long-term, short-term or on an occasional basis. American Legion Posts can also participate by offering their facilities and their members to the VAVS program, sponsoring youth volunteers, or partnering with local businesses and agencies to provide services to veterans.

Volunteer Locations

Poly Trauma Centers
The VA has four regional Poly Trauma Centers and 17 Network Poly Trauma Centers. These centers are receiving an influx of OEF/OIF wounded warriors that are treated for traumatic brain injury, amputation, blindness, or other visual impairment, complex orthopedic injuries and mental health concerns. There are many needs these wounded soldiers and their family members have and you can ask your local VA hospital Chief of Voluntary Service how to help. (http://www.polytrauma.va.gov

VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC)
Community Based-Outpatient Clinics were designed to improve veterans’ access to care by offering primary care in local communities. Volunteer opportunities include: making coffee, answering phones and scheduling appointments. Each CBOC has a VA-administrative officer that can certify your volunteer hours.

Fisher Houses
The Fisher House Foundation offers support and provides lodging for families while they are visiting the hospital for extended periods of time due to patients receiving care. Assistance is needed in donations of paper goods, linens, food, books and videos, assisting in fund raising efforts to support existing houses and to promote development of new Fisher Houses. Please confer with the local VA Hospital’s Chief of Voluntary Service. (http://www.fisherhouse.org/)

State Veterans Homes
Volunteers at State Veterans Homes can help plan social events, assist with transportation, direct patient care, food and beverage services and answering phones. State Veterans Homes’ volunteers receive the same recognition and credit for volunteer hours as VAVS volunteers. (http://www.nasvh.org/home/index.cfm

Vet Center
Vet Centers serve veterans and their families including professional readjustment counseling, community education, outreach to special populations, work with community organizations and are a key link between the veteran and other services available within VA. Opportunities to serve veterans include answering phones, making coffee, transportation and planning holiday and social activities. (http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/

Youth Volunteers (VolunTeens)
VA offers excellent opportunities for youth exploring career options, gaining experience in a health care environment and learning new skills. Volunteering helps students enhance their resumes/college applications, secure a better job during summers and open doors to networking with community and business leaders. Students can also qualify for the James H. Parke Scholarship if they volunteer over 100 hundred hours, are in 10th grade or higher and have not reached their 19th birthday. (http://www1.va.gov/volunteer/studentprgm.cfm)

VAVS Assignments

  1. Decide if you want to be a regularly scheduled, occasional volunteer or volunteer for special events.
    • Regularly Scheduled (RS) volunteers- work for the VA on a scheduled basis. RS volunteers are considered employees who work on a “without compensation” basis. These volunteers go through a formal VA orientation and receive individual rewards for hours and service given.
    • Occasional volunteers- work with VA on an infrequent basis. They do not have a regular schedule. They volunteer on an average of 24 hours per quarter. The American Legion receives credit for service given rather than individually
    • Special Events- VA has many annual events that volunteer support is needed. Some of these include: National Wheelchair Games, National Golden Age Games, National Creative Arts Festival, National Winter Sports Clinic, Homeless Stand Downs, Annual Red Cross Blood Drive and the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Welcome Home Event Celebrations.
  2. Choose your assignment, some examples are:
    • Administrative Support & Assistance to Clinical Staff Volunteers
    • Making patient reminder calls
    • Escort Volunteers
    • Food Court Ambassadors
    • Coffee Servers
    • Information Desk
    • Shuttle Drivers
    • Veterans History Project Volunteers
    • Volunteers In-Home Respite Program – volunteers go to a veteran’s home one or two days a week for 2-4 hours each day to give the caregiver a break.
    • Companion Therapy

Volunteer Now

For information concerning individual or Post participation contact the Chief of Voluntary Service at your nearest VA medical center. They will arrange an initial screening and help you in choosing the program that best meets your time and interests. Information is also available on the Internet at http://www.va.gov/volunteer