3. Choose your assignment preference Traditional assignments Non-traditional assignments Patient escort Virtual volunteers NEARLY 100 YEARS OF SERVING VETERANS Volunteer drivers Fundraisers The American Legion Clerical positions Managers and recruiters Volunteers are the cornerstone Information desk Corporate representatives of our great organization VETERANS AFFAIRS VOLUNTARY SERVICE Ambassador program Trainers and educators as highlighted in the preamble Chaplain service Writers to the American Legion Constitution … (newsletters, recruitment ads) ”to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship Pharmacy Community liaisons by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.” VAVS Nursing Volunteer sports opportunities PROGRAM (Team River Runner - kayaking; Ride 2 Recovery - cycling; Golf Supports Our Troops - golfing) Guest relations program Outpatient assignment Caregiver positions 4. Contact the VAVS program manager at a nearby VA facility or sign up at www.va.gov/volunteer THE AMERICAN LEGION For information concerning individual participation contact the VAVS program manager Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission at your nearest VA medical center. They will 1608 K St. NW arrange an initial screening and help you in Washington DC 20006 choosing the program that best meets your www.legion.org interests. More information is available at www.va.gov/volunteer This institution is an equal opportunity provider. www.legion.org/vavolunteers Stock# 70-017 Artwork# 32VAR0820 VETERANS HELPING VETERANS d. Youth volunteers (VolunTeens). This VA veterans in their communities. Coordinating program offers excellent opportunities for youth with on-site VA-administrative officers will The American Legion has been a staunch supporter exploring career options, gaining experience in ensure proper certification of volunteer hours. and active participant in the Department of a health-care environment and learning new • Fisher Houses: The Fisher House Foundation Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) skills. Volunteering helps students enhance offers support and provides lodging for families program since its inception in 1946. Today, across their resumes/college applications, secure a while they are visiting hospitals for extended the country more than 8,000 American Legion better job during summers and opens doors periods of time due to patients receiving care. volunteers contribute nearly 900,000 hours annually to networking with community and business Assistance is needed in donations of paper at various VA medical centers, Community Based leaders. Students can also qualify for the James goods, linens, food, books and videos, assisting Outpatient Centers, vet centers, nursing homes, H. Parke Scholarship if they volunteer over 100 in fundraising efforts to support existing houses hours, are in 10th grade or higher and have not state veterans homes and to promote development of new Fisher reached age 19. Houses. Please confer with your local VA and many more facilities in support of our www1.va.gov/volunteer/studentprgm.cfm hospitalized veterans. hospital’s chief of voluntary service. 2. Choose your volunteer location www.fisherhouse.org When Legionnaires provide the time, talent and • VA medical centers: As VA health-care • State veterans homes: Volunteers at State desire, the VA provides opportunities including delivery continues to evolve, there are abundant Veterans Homes help plan social events, assist directly assisting patients, developing new opportunities for Legionnaires to contribute with transportation, direct patient care, food marketing techniques and more. American Legion as volunteers in their own way and for their and beverage services and answering phones. posts and members also sponsor youth volunteers own reasons. VA hospitals and polytrauma State veterans home volunteers receive the same and serve veterans through partnerships with centers offer opportunities to volunteers in such recognition and credit for volunteer hours as businesses and agencies. diverse areas as: administration support, patient VAVS volunteers. escort, food court ambassador, coffee server, www.nasvh.org/index.cfm For more information, visit www.va.gov/volunteer information desk worker, shuttle drivers and • Vet centers: These centers serve combat Make a difference: Volunteer today! assisting with the Veterans History Project. veterans and their families by providing Volunteer Legionnaires may serve at Fisher readjustment and counseling services, FOUR STEPS TO VOLUNTEERING Houses, Community Based Outpatient Clinics community education, outreach to special and at vet centers. populations and coordinate with community 1. Determine your availability to become a: • VA polytrauma centers: At five regional and organizations. Vet centers provide coordination 18 network polytrauma centers nationwide, of other services provided by the VA. Volunteer a. Regularly scheduled volunteer: This group wounded warriors receive world-class treatment opportunities include answering phones, works with VA on a scheduled basis. Members for traumatic brain injury, amputation, making coffee, transportation and planning go through formal VA orientation and can blindness, or other visual impairment, complex holiday and social activities. receive individual rewards for hours and services orthopedic injuries and mental health concerns. www.vetcenter.va.gov provided. Unique opportunities exist for American b. Occasional volunteer. These volunteers Legion volunteers to serve the needs of these represent The American Legion by wounded heroes and their family members in a volunteering on an infrequent basis. number of rewarding ways. c. Special events volunteer. VA often requires www.polytrauma.va.gov volunteer support for specific events. Some of • VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics these include: National Wheelchair Games, (CBOC): These facilities improve veterans’ National Golden Age Games, National access to health care by offering primary care Creative Arts Festival, National Winter in local communities. Volunteer opportunities Sports Clinic, homeless stand downs, annual include: making coffee, answering phones and Red Cross Blood Drive and welcome home scheduling appointments. American Legion celerbations for troops. posts may provide transportation for needy .